5 replies to this topic

[KitsAntVa]

In the moving process of my Camponotus subbarbatus I saw that a cocoon was dark and ready to enclose Jul 2nd. In the excitement they put that cocoon in the very back of the brood pile. I came back a day later to see if the worker enclosed, still hadn’t July 3rd. Came back today and the worker was out of the cocoon deformed and dead looked to have a deflated gaster and it was crippled. I feel the worker didn’t get enough attention and died in the cocoon because it couldn’t get out. Also should I worry if the heat is deforming it I’ve heard that it can.

[AnthonyP163]

What is the setup like?

[ANTdrew]

Yes, please describe the set up and how you are heating them. I doubt it’s too hot, though because these live in dead wood exposed to very high temperatures in the summer.
The worker may just need a day to harden up and gain full mobility.

[ponerinecat]

Sometimes they just ignore brood in stressful conditions, or in this case it sounds like they tried to protect it but ended up putting it in a hard to detect place, and so werent able to cut the worker out.

[RushmoreAnts]

Yeah, it was probably just a glitch in the queen’s system. Besides - Camponotus are just weird.

[AnthonyP163]

This often happens to my Camponotus when their setup is too dry.