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hi here is another ant colony that I have

Started By antsinvirgina , Sep 1 2021 6:26 AM

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4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline antsinvirgina - Posted September 1 2021 - 6:26 AM

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LocationSpringfield

can any one tell me why my ants are not laying eggs? it is a formica fusca colony

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#2 Offline PetsNotPests - Posted September 1 2021 - 6:28 AM

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LocationSouthern LA County, California

It is getting closer and closer to diapause (Ant hibernation) so that's likley the reason. There's a chance she won't lay again until March.

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Ants are Pets, not Pests.

-Camponotus sansabeanus

-Camponotus US-CA02

-Camponotus vicinus

-Formica podzolica

-Monomorium spp.

-Pogonomyrmex californicus

-Solenopsis spp.

#3 Offline futurebird - Posted September 1 2021 - 6:36 AM

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Do their gasters appear full when you look closely?

How long have brood (eggs, pupae, larva) been absent.

I agree with the diapause comment BUT

right now all of my colonies except for my formica ants have tons of brood and eggs. So it's worth looking at other reasons.

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I like to make relaxing videos that capture the joy of watching ants.

If that sounds like your kind of thing... follow me >here<.

#4 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted September 1 2021 - 2:44 PM

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They are likely preparing for diapause, but I would like to point out that these aren't Formica fusca, but rather F. subsericea or F. argentea.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, September 1 2021 - 2:44 PM.

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#5 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted September 1 2021 - 3:05 PM

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Diapause definitely seems like the most likely explanation. Formica tend to start preparing for diapause earlier than other ants. My F. subsericea colony has sometimes stopped laying in preparation for diapause as early as mid-summer.

I'm assuming you're in Virginia based on your username. If you're in North America these aren't F. fusca, they're some other species in the fusca-group. Most likely F. subsericea or F. argentea, as TennesseeAnts already pointed out.