16 replies to this topic

[Pulliamj]

How long on average after collecting queens do they start laying eggs? Camponotus specifically...
And I know I should only check on them sparingly but that's kind of hard when you are excited.

[Jonathan21700]

It depends. Sometimes it takes days and sometimes just hours. But normally from one day to a week.

[cpman]

They usually lay within two days of collection. I find they tend to lay faster if the tube has been covered by foil.

Also, try to disturb them as little as possible. I try not to disturb any queens more than once every two days.

[Crystals]

Most of mine lay within 2 weeks.  A few others took up to 2 months.

 

I leave my queens uncovered in a dim corner of a room.  That way I don't disturb them when I check on them.

[Pulliamj]

One of my queens started laying eggs today.

[Foogoo]

Most of mine lay within 2 weeks.  A few others took up to 2 months.

 

That gives me a little hope. I have one surviving Dorymyrmex bicolor queen that hasn't done anything in about 4 weeks.

[Crystals]

I still have one Camponotus queen that I caught May 2014 that keeps eating her eggs.  Since I feed nectar once a week, she is still doing fine.

 

I finally got impatient yesterday and took a pupae from one of my other Camponotus colonies and boosted her.

[Pulliamj]

3 out of the seven queens each have 1 egg. I'm new to anting but I just thought they would have 5 or 10 each day. So from egg to nanitic is about how long?

[dean_k]

Takes one to two months. Lasius and Formica brood take one and half month from an egg to eclosing, so I assume it's about the same.

[Pulliamj]

If I end up with several colonies can I sell them? I only want 2 colonies for myself.

[dean_k]

If you are in US, no. It's not legally allowed unless it's to someone who is in the same state as you. If you are in Europe, then yes.

[Pulliamj]

Yes, I'm in U.S. Texas. I meant in Texas sorry. Is there a place I can put them for sale for people wanting queens? I know they can't go across state lines.

[Silvak]

Yes, I'm in U.S. Texas. I meant in Texas sorry. Is there a place I can put them for sale for people wanting queens? I know they can't go across state lines.

 

AntsCanada GAN Project is one means to buy/sell ant queens legally. It's fairly strictly monitored and any legal conditions enforced. There are also the various forums which usually have a "market" section but you really need to know your laws because some people are so enthusiastic they "forget" what is or isn't permitted legally.

[Crystals]

There is AntsCanada or the Market Place on this site. 

Be sure to mention your location.

 

Don't expect buyers to know the rules.  They are often new to the hobby and most don't know that the queen has to stay within the state.

[Pulliamj]

I will wait until I got sure have 2 successfully colonies before offering them.

[Pulliamj]

5 out of 6 queens are now laying eggs.

[Pulliamj]

I can't count lol. 6 of the 7 are laying.