5 replies to this topic

[Fatatoille]

Beginning - 31/07/2020

We recently had some nuptial flights where both lasius niger and flavus flew on the self same day and I  managed to catch a few, 13 lasius niger queens and 3 flavus queens which I have put into test tubes. They are now in a dark cupboard where they will remain for the next month. I look forward to seeing the progress made when I check next week. But for now the answer shall remain unknown on how they are doing.

Edited by Fatatoille, August 1 2020 - 7:06 AM.

[Fatatoille]

quick update - 11/08/2020

Unfortunately there won't be any pictures for this one  as i don't want to cause ethe queens to eat their brood.

 

After checking the queens yesterday, both now have a sizeable brood pile with about all queens having at least one larvae and a few queens having medium and large larvae. However, about 3 of the test tubes have broke out in mold, but the queens residing in them are fine, I will be changing their test tube when the nanitics arrive so hopefully they will be fine until then.

[TechAnt]

Cool!

[Fatatoille]

quick update - 25/08/2020

just did a quick weekly checkup and the first cocoons have appeared! 

the most cocoons in a single test tube currently is 4 but most of the lasius niger and flavus queens have at least one cocoon, though if i had checked in greater detail there may have also been some naked pupae as most of the brood piles in the queens test tubes are pretty sizeable now, two or so more weeks of waiting to go.

[ANTdrew]

That’s fANTastic!

[Fatatoille]

quick prehibernation update

Most queens now have workers and have been doing quite well for the short time they have been active, with the largest colony having ~15 workers, heres a picture of the largest niger colony drinking some honey.

These colonies have now been put into the garage for hibernation with clean test tubes, so hopefully they will have huge booms in population in the year to come! on final notes, there was another flavus and niger flight and i managed to get a duo pleo colony of nigers and a trio colony of flavus, so they will be mentioned as well in future updates.