10 replies to this topic

[Crazycow]

okay so i have a Camponotus modoc colony with 37 workers with about 30 more pupa and maybe more. they have completely out grown there nest for the most part and am wondering if. i should delay hibernating tell there new nest gets here (2-4 weeks) or if i should just leave them and keep getting them ready for hibernation soon?

[Skwiggledork]

I would stick to your planned hibernation schedule. The pupa won't hatch while hibernating as far as I know and changing nests uses energy that they might need for surviving hibernation.

[Crazycow]

I would stick to your planned hibernation schedule. The pupa won't hatch while hibernating as far as I know and changing nests uses energy that they might need for surviving hibernation.

makes sense

[levalmaster]

It would be a good idea to wait for the pupae to eclose before you hibernate them, it will only take a couple of weeks at most, as from what I've heard, camponotus don't hibernate with pupae

[CheetoLord02]

Pupae will die in hibernation. The only brood that can hibernate is larvae, and in Camponotus they tend to hibernate with only first-instar larvae (the smallest size). I would personally wait to see if they still fit in their nest after all the pupae eclose, hibernate them in the current nest, and then move them after hibernation.

[Skwiggledork]

Oof, was I wrong. Glad there are smart people here.

[Crazycow]

thanks for all the help! ima see how it goes. they are still hatching and growing larva to pupa stage still so they might still be a ways from hibernation.

[Mettcollsuss]

The only brood that can hibernate is larvae, and in Camponotus they tend to hibernate with only first-instar larvae (the smallest size).

Ah, that explains it. I had been wondering why my C. pennsylvanicus have a bunch of small larvae that just aren't developing.

[eea]

thanks, now i have an answer on not developing brood and dead pupae

Edited by eea, September 17 2021 - 4:09 PM.

[Crazycow]

So my queen just started laying a new batch of eggs and from her last two batches the first of the two was about 30 eggs then it was 40-50 so I’m guessing this one will be even more and I’m a little confused on why she would start laying again if she should be getting ready for hibernation

[Crazycow]

My camponotus colony moved all of there brood into there tubing and completely cleared out there nest except for like 2 workers and the queen. What should I do?