3 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

Alright, so I have this small temnothorax colony that had a queen, 6 workers, and no brood (they ate their larvae, or at least mangled it, or maybe it’s pupating, who knows). But they haven’t laid any eggs and I’ve had them for a week now. I check on them everyday. If I left them alone for a few days, do you think the queen would start laying again? (I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I want verification)

[Martialis]

Yeah, they sound like they could be fairly stressed. Keep them in the dark somewhere that isn't prone to much vibration or movement.

 

Additionally, try feeding them a crushed fruit fly, or even half of one. Temnothorax are tiny ants, after all.  A (dead) springtail would work, too.  

 

You can get flightless fruit flies at many pet stores, so that's why I suggested them. Springtails can be gotten from leaf litter (although it can be difficult sometimes—they move quite quickly for their size!) and bought from sites like bugsincyberspace.com.

 

Just be careful when you're feeding them not to stress them out too much.

Edited by Martialis, May 29 2019 - 6:04 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

Yeah, they sound like they could be fairly stressed. Keep them in the dark somewhere that isn't prone to much vibration or movement.

Additionally, try feeding them a crushed fruit fly, or even half of one. Temnothorax are tiny ants, after all. A (dead) springtail would work, too.

You can get flightless fruit flies at many pet stores, so that's why I suggested them. Springtails can be gotten from leaf litter (although it can be difficult sometimes—they move quite quickly for their size!) and bought from sites like bugsincyberspace.com.

Just be careful when you're feeding them not to stress them out too much.

Thxs!

[CatsnAnts]

Alright, so I just put them in my closet in a dark spot with some honey-soaked q-tip and a precrushed fly. I think I even saw an egg! I am planning on leaving them alone for a week, so till next Wednesday!