4 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

The Formica francoeuri I found last week is apparently calustral, one of them I placed in a THA Mini-Hearth with loose sand which she took and packed into the entrance of her nest. I've got a few others in Taluses that will occasionally run around outside the nest, drink honey, flip me off, etc. With that, should I plug them up inside the nest? Would they be happier being sealed up or having the option to visit the outworld?

 

What I may do tonight is put loose sand inside to give them the option. If they start sealing up the hole I'll just give them a hand and plug it up.

[Crystals]

I would plug them inside the nest with cotton for 24 hours and then remove it.

Then let them have the option.

 

I have had Formica that refuse to stir from their chambers, and others who saw me looking at them and ran to the tin foil dish looking for their nectar.

[Foogoo]

I have had Formica that refuse to stir from their chambers, and others who saw me looking at them and ran to the tin foil dish looking for their nectar.

You've got to be kidding, seriously?

[Crystals]

Yes, I'm serious. 

Most of my queens enjoy food, and I offer hummingbird nectar to all of them, even if they are fully claustral.

 

I had 2 queens who loved nectar and despite being fully claustral they took every opportunity to indulge their sweet tooth.  After a month or so they figured out that when I looked at them closely that food often appeared.  One Formica podzolica in particular whenever I bent close to look at her would race to the feeding dish waving antennae in the air looking for the nectar. After there were about 20 workers they started stopping her from leaving the nest.

[Foogoo]

So it sounds like even if they are fully claustral they're still willing to leave.