4 replies to this topic

[VaguelySpider]

I caught a Brachymyrmex queen about a month and a half ago, and now she has 1 wingless nanitic and 3 winged drones. This is strange to me - if the queen only had drones, I would assume she is unfertilized, however, she has that 1 nanitic. I read on other forums that alates within the first year is not unheard of, even if unusual, however, my queen seems to have a really high drone to nanitic ratio? Has anyone else encountered something like this before? Any clue as to why my ants are like this???

[NickAnter]

I encountered this with Camponotus hyatti. Not sure what caused it. Also, which Brachymyrmex species is it?

[RushmoreAnts]

I caught a Brachymyrmex queen about a month and a half ago, and now she has 1 wingless nanitic and 3 winged drones. This is strange to me - if the queen only had drones, I would assume she is unfertilized, however, she has that 1 nanitic. I read on other forums that alates within the first year is not unheard of, even if unusual, however, my queen seems to have a really high drone to nanitic ratio? Has anyone else encountered something like this before? Any clue as to why my ants are like this???

I find these surprises very fascinating indeed. However, since she has a worker, there shouldn't be any problems.

[VaguelySpider]

NickAnter - It's a Brachymyrmex patagonicus queen. How is your Camponotus colony doing?

 

AntsDakota - That's good to hear. I wonder if there's some sort of factor such as stress, or that the queen has low fertility, that causes these things.

[NickAnter]

My Camponotus colony is down to a single queen, with no brood.  Partly because I dropped their formicarium.