4 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

The nuptial flights were very late last year, so by the time they needed to go into hibernation, almost all of my Lasius Flavus queens only had larvae, no pupae or workers. I have all the queens alone in test tubes.

They've been out of hibernation for a week or so now, and many of them need new test tubes. I'm wondering if it's too late to create a couple colonies with 3 queens by putting some of these queens + brood together in a new tube? Or will they show aggression to each other?

[NikolaBale]

The nuptial flights were very late last year, so by the time they needed to go into hibernation, almost all of my Lasius Flavus queens only had larvae, no pupae or workers. I have all the queens alone in test tubes.

They've been out of hibernation for a week or so now, and many of them need new test tubes. I'm wondering if it's too late to create a couple colonies with 3 queens by putting some of these queens + brood together in a new tube? Or will they show aggression to each other?

Most likely yes.I would not recommend it.Most polygynous colonies are formed through pleometrosis...And that's before the first eggs are laid.What you could do it take the pupa of two queens and brood boost one queen.

Even if you put them together there is a chance they fight after the firts workers arrive and then you will be left with one.

Edited by NikolaBale, February 16 2022 - 5:36 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Sell the extra colonies. Make money, not mutinies.

[OiledOlives]

The nuptial flights were very late last year, so by the time they needed to go into hibernation, almost all of my Lasius flavus queens only had larvae, no pupae or workers. I have all the queens alone in test tubes.

They've been out of hibernation for a week or so now, and many of them need new test tubes. I'm wondering if it's too late to create a couple colonies with 3 queens by putting some of these queens + brood together in a new tube? Or will they show aggression to each other?

It is not too late to combine them. However, it is unlikely that they will continue working together as L. flavus is usually pleometrotic unless you are in one of the polygynous populations.

Antdrew, L. flavus founding queens go for barely anything in Europe.

[antsriondel]

Sell the extra colonies. Make money, not mutinies.

yeah, then buy a mini hearth.