9 replies to this topic

[Dry_Twig]

I have two Solenopsis xyloni queens with just brood. I've heard conflicting evidence online that they are polygynous, so can anyone tell me if they have successfully merged two queens/colonies together or if its even a good idea? I know they already grow very fast with one queen, so would two be overwhelming or just increase the chance of a successful colony. This is also my first post, so if I did anything wrong, please tell me. 

[TechAnt]

Hi, welcome to the forum! You have posted this in the correct place, so you have nothing to worry about. As for your question, I believe they are polygonus depending on the area of collection. But I would wait for the more experienced people here to put their input.

Just know Solenopsis xyloni (and a lot of Solenopsis in general) grow very fast, but sometimes queens will have ‘egg laying breaks’ for one, while the other continues laying eggs. Sometimes this is true, or sometimes it is false and both lay eggs at the same time.

Edited by TechAnt, July 7 2020 - 7:31 AM.

[Antkid12]

It might get overwhelming later on.

[Dry_Twig]

Thanks for the information and quick reply.   Based off what both of you have said, I don't think I'll merge them together unless there is any real benefit of having two queens vs one.

[TechAnt]

Thanks for the information and quick reply. Based off what both of you have said, I don't think I'll merge them together unless there is any real benefit of having two queens vs one.

No problem, the only real benefits (or consequences depending on who is keeping them) is that they may grow much faster, and/or you will have more nanitics.

Edited by TechAnt, July 7 2020 - 7:58 AM.

[Manitobant]

Also keep in mind that in captivity xyloni is not polygynous. They found either by themselves or through pleometrosis, which is when the queens work together until the workers arrive and then the weaker queen is killed.

Edited by Manitobant, July 7 2020 - 7:56 AM.

[TechAnt]

Also keep in mind that in captivity xyloni is not polygynous. They found either solo or through pleometrosis, which is when the queens work together until the workers arrive and then the weaker queen is killed.

Ah yes, I knew I was forgetting something.

So you would just get more nanitics to found your colony, which would already be a lot, as xyloni colonies get a lot of first workers.

[ponerinecat]

Also keep in mind that in captivity xyloni is not polygynous. They found either by themselves or through pleometrosis, which is when the queens work together until the workers arrive and then the weaker queen is killed.

I know for a fact they are capable of polygyny, have seen 2 colonies in the wild like so. One was of a young age (several hundred workers) with 3 queens, and another of mature age (more like several thousand) with maybe 6-7 queens visible on the surface. My guess is they go through secondary polygyny and adopt queens as they grow. However it could be locality based as few other people have seen this, especially in captivity.

[Dry_Twig]

So now one of the queens has around 5 workers while the other turned out to be infertile (has wings, scattered eggs that never developed). If I give the infertile queen to the other colony, will she 'help out' like I how I have seen some argentine ant queens foraging or will they just eat her?

[Kaelwizard]

I would assume she would be killed. If not, her presence may stress a small colony unless they are brave enough to kill her, but small colonies are generally fairly timid. I don’t know about this species specifically though.

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 28 2020 - 6:18 PM.