3 replies to this topic

[ForestDragon]

So I have one formica Incerta queen (commonly called pallidefulva) and she has 3 pupae but no other brood, she is a catch from this year is it normal for them to lay a few eggs than wait till workers to arrive before laying more? she has been fed sugur water just to keep her energized for when pupae need eclosing its not needed but I prefer it also I should get a heat mat to heat my ants 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

That's great! My two queen pallidefulva colony has about twice that, and since incerta is basically the same thing but with a hairy gaster, I would say you are right on track.

[Amazant]

I’m getting a Formica pallidefulva from a local person near me and I’m super excited, also it is usually normal for queens to wait until they have workers to lay more eggs because she may not have enough fat reserves to produce more eggs, feed the larvae, and feed herself.
Also I would be careful getting a heat mat, I would wait until they have a nest that is larger than a test tube and more workers because sometimes they can’t escape the heat mats heat and will die pretty quickly, but it’s up to you.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I fed mine a mealworm. One of the queens liked it. Feeding them once they have a fair amount of brood helps stop the larvae from eating their smaller sisters.