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what to do when queens last worker dies and queen is refusing to lay eggs

Started By SardineBoy6.0 , Jan 13 2021 9:31 AM

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7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:31 AM

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hello,

my tetramorium immigrans queen came out of hibernation last night. this morning I found her last worker dead and no eggs whatsoever in the test tube. what should I do? is there any way to save her?

#2 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:37 AM

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LocationPoway, California

Feed her. Then hope she'll recover.

#3 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:41 AM

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I've tried that she is refusing to eat as well

#4 Offline Manitobant - Posted January 13 2021 - 10:17 AM

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LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Heat her as well. Sometimes ants need heat to lay after hibernation. Also I hate to say this but in my experience collapsed colonies have a very high mortality rate and rarely survive, as the queen doesn’t have the ability to found again.

TennesseeAnts, Chickalo and Moonant01 like this

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#5 Offline Chickalo - Posted January 13 2021 - 10:39 AM

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LocationSalem, Massachusetts

Heat her as well. Sometimes ants need heat to lay after hibernation. Also I hate to say this but in my experience collapsed colonies have a very high mortality rate and rarely survive, as the queen doesn’t have the ability to found again.

heating can also make the brood grow faster meaning more workers faster.

シグナチャーです。예.

#6 Offline gs5248 - Posted January 13 2021 - 11:14 AM

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LocationSacramento California

hello,

my tetramorium immigrans queen came out of hibernation last night. this morning I found her last worker dead and no eggs whatsoever in the test tube. what should I do? is there any way to save her?

You can try to feed her and heat her, but sadly it is likely it won't work. I had the same experience last year, I tried everything, but the queen still died.

#7 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted January 13 2021 - 8:48 PM

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LocationNashville, Tennessee

As manitobant said, its rare for a queen to recover after she loses all her workers. The best thing to do is give her some pupae and workers from a wild colony and hope she rebounds.