9 replies to this topic

[BlueLance213]

Ey guys n gals, Random question.

 

If my ants are given a fly that is the size of the queen (She is alone and eats things) and she puts it at the end of her test tube (The dry end) are they generally done with it or storing it for a bit later? I have a Camponotus Barbaricus queen who has been through a lot of hell and currently restarting, after she has torn off the legs etc I noticed after some time she places it as far as possible from her, I have just been replacing the food every few days incase she is done and has been waiting for more. Does anyone know if its just her saving it?

[Ants_Dakota]

I have never actually noticed ants saving protein. I think they are too smart and know it will mold. Most likely she just does not it touching her wet cotton ball, because if it does, than there will be a mold outbreak.

[BlueLance213]

I have never actually noticed ants saving protein. I think they are too smart and know it will mold. Most likely she just does not it touching her wet cotton ball, because if it does, than there will be a mold outbreak.

Well it is only her and 3 brood at the moment, So a fly her size seems like it would be too big for her to eat in one sitting? Do you suggest replacing it then as I have been doing or leaving it for a few days?

[ANTdrew]

Once an insect’s insides dry out (which happens pretty quickly) most ants just treat it like trash. I would remove and replace the fly.

[BlueLance213]

Yeah, I don't think I am gonna get a chance to do that, I just checked her to do it and she is much bigger now, and she has moved her larva up to it. Gonna leave her for today, the fly also looks a lot more shrivelled

[Devi]

Now this may seem like a bit of an obvious question but here it goes anyway.  Are the queens claustral?  If they are then they won't need anything to eat, and if they aren't (semi-claustral) then they do need to eat. According to some sites onling, Camponotus Barbaricus IS claustral, which is the reason she isn't eating.  

[Ants_Dakota]

Now this may seem like a bit of an obvious question but here it goes anyway.  Are the queens claustral?  If they are then they won't need anything to eat, and if they aren't (semi-claustral) then they do need to eat. According to some sites onling, Camponotus Barbaricus IS claustral, which is the reason she isn't eating.  

If the queen is clausral, than he is correct. it does not need feeding.

[BlueLance213]

Now this may seem like a bit of an obvious question but here it goes anyway.  Are the queens claustral?  If they are then they won't need anything to eat, and if they aren't (semi-claustral) then they do need to eat. According to some sites onling, Camponotus Barbaricus IS claustral, which is the reason she isn't eating.  

 

She is a claustral queen as far as I know, but she had a bad start etc, and she is eating, I am just wondering if she is saving what she hasnt etc.

 

Her first Nanitics died during transport.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

Now this may seem like a bit of an obvious question but here it goes anyway.  Are the queens claustral?  If they are then they won't need anything to eat, and if they aren't (semi-claustral) then they do need to eat. According to some sites onling, Camponotus Barbaricus IS claustral, which is the reason she isn't eating.  

 

She is a claustral queen as far as I know, but she had a bad start etc, and she is eating, I am just wondering if she is saving what she hasnt etc.

 

Her first Nanitics died during transport.

 

than you will need to feed her. I see your point.

[BlueLance213]

Yeah, right now the fly is pretty much a complete husk, she didn't mess about, and with her taking the larva to it they must have been making a meal out of it, Will wait till she moves the larva then feed her a frozen spider so that she has another large thing

 

Update, its no longer a husk, it was brutally broken down into small pieces, now it looks like a glitter party

Edited by BlueLance213, September 17 2020 - 3:47 PM.