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Queen Biting Entrance Test Tube Cotton

Started By Froggy , May 23 2020 8:26 PM

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3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Froggy - Posted May 23 2020 - 8:26 PM

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LocationCave Creek, Arizona

My Camponotus queen is biting the entrance cotton in her test tube and I'm not sure why, does anyone know why she is doing this?

Edited by Froggy, May 23 2020 - 8:27 PM.

#2 Offline Antkid12 - Posted May 24 2020 - 3:27 AM

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LocationFairfax, Virginia

Try to move her into a smaller test tube, as it might make her feel more comfortable.

Edited by Antkid12, May 24 2020 - 5:18 AM.

Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, ~~Brachymyrmex sp.~~ possibly infertile , Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: ~~Pheidole morrisii~~

#3 Offline Froggy - Posted May 24 2020 - 7:13 AM

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LocationCave Creek, Arizona

Try to move her into a smaller test tube, as it might make her feel more comfortable.

Ok, I'll try doing that

#4 Offline ponerinecat - Posted May 24 2020 - 9:55 AM

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LocationCalifornia

Many queens will do this at first before settling down in an attempt to make the tube better to their liking (think of how once in their claustral chamber the will reform and dig out the sides to make themselves more comfortable) however they will eventually stop and start producing. One of my Camponotus queens spent a few days filling her tube with cotton fluff before laying a batch of 7 eggs. Keep in mind ants are not so perfect in nature. What seems like a perfect and clean home to us seems like a barren and strange jail cell to them.