74 replies to this topic

[M_Ants]

Found this wasp floating in a little creek thing. Didn't have any containers with me so the capture was a bit messy. I think it's okay though. Is it a queen and what should I do to help it? 

 

[ANTdrew]

If it’s still alive, I say just bury it under some leaf litter near where you found it.

[M_Ants]

I thought some people keep these.

[Manitobant]

Yes, that is a polistes paper wasp queen. She was probably out taking a quick drink before returning to hibernation. I would either keep her or sell her to someone interested in wasps.

[M_Ants]

I kinda caught her because I figured someone would want to buy her.

[Manitobant]

You could always raise her yourself, it can be quite easy. Species is also polistes aurifer, which can be seen in January. Whether the queens are actually initiating nests or just looking for a quick drink on a warm day I don’t know.

Edited by Manitobant, January 10 2021 - 9:25 AM.

[M_Ants]

How do I raise her?

[Swirlysnowflake]

Yep, Polishes aurifer. Same species i have. Most likely a queen judging by the time of year. Maculifrons has a great tutorial on youtube on how to raise Polistes, and there are a lot of journals on formiculture about how. (You can also look at my journal though i don't know how much information that will give you  )

 

Let me see if I can find the tutorial, and then I’ll add the link.

[Manitobant]

Here is the video, as well as a link to the wasp keeping discord server, where some people should help you out:




https://discord.gg/Da7zRzsW

Edited by Manitobant, January 10 2021 - 10:57 AM.

[M_Ants]

Cool. Thanks. Does she need to hibernate more?

[Manitobant]

I would keep her in one of those tanks and if she doesn't start initiating and tries to huddle up somewhere it means she will need more hibernation, but room temp should work since you're in a warm region. Check swirly's journal.

[ZTYguy]

I might be interested if you are going to sell her.

[M_Ants]

I think I'm gonna keep her for now. If you want to buy for a lot then I'd sell. 

[ZTYguy]

Ok, ill let you keep her.

[antsandmore]

Ok, ill let you keep her

lol

idk what would be more fun. keeping termites or wasps, but i'll stick with termites, unless i catch wasps. then i can sell. where do people catch them anyways?

[Swirlysnowflake]

 

Ok, ill let you keep her

lol

idk what would be more fun. keeping termites or wasps, but i'll stick with termites, unless i catch wasps. then i can sell. where do people catch them anyways?

 

Wasps are way more fun for a plethora of reasons. Mainly, wasps are way more active and you will actually see them. Termites are hidden all the time, and are way harder to raise than wasps lol

[M_Ants]

She's chilling in her cardboard corner thing. How do I tell if she's hibernating or just resting. Also does she need food other than sugar water?

[Swirlysnowflake]

She's chilling in her cardboard corner thing. How do I tell if she's hibernating or just resting. Also does she need food other than sugar water?

No real way to tell. If she stays in that position for a few days, she's probably hibernating. If she's hibernating, no need for food, but if she is not hibernating, you’ll want to give her sugar water.

 

You can offer a source of protein like live flies, cut up mealworms, or waxworms. Sometimes, offering protein helps them found their nest quicker, but sometimes the queens will refuse food until they have their larvae. I’d offer both protein and sugar water just in case. (I got this information from a very experienced wasp keeper lol) My two queens do not take protein or sugar water, and only are eating honey currently.

Edited by Swirlysnowflake, January 11 2021 - 12:14 PM.