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Do larvae need to eat?

Started By Jamiesname , Jun 19 2019 7:02 PM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jamiesname - Posted June 19 2019 - 7:02 PM

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I know it sounds like a silly question, but don't larvae from fully claustal queen's only eat after the become adult workers?

If that's the case, can all larvae survive without eating until they turn into adults?

#2 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted June 19 2019 - 7:07 PM

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Larvae eat protein, often regurgitated by the workers.

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#3 Offline PacificNorthWestern - Posted June 19 2019 - 7:07 PM

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No, I can see where your coming from but fully claustral queens use there wing muscles to feed there larvae and semi claustral queens don't have enough muscles( I think?) And have to forage for their own food. All larvae need to eat to grow

#4 Offline Jamiesname - Posted June 20 2019 - 3:16 AM

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I thought that only the queen could survive off of stored energy from her wing muscles and that the first larvae didn't eat until they matured. It makes more sense now, thanks.

#5 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 20 2019 - 6:19 AM

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Queens also use reserves stored in her gaster.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies.

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant).