8 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

Last year I bought a C. Ligniperda queen with 6 workers & about 6 larvae. They all made it through hibernation, but when the larvae went to pupate, only one was successful. Two of them turned into...I don't even know? Whatever the two little things on the left are. Seems pretty dead, but the queen and workers are still caring for it like it's brood.

Several weeks ago I saw one of the workers had died. No idea how/why. All the others seemed fine.

They had dragged a mealworm into their nest tube and it went very moldy, so I made them a ytong nest and dumped them in a little under two weeks ago.

Today I saw a worker in their mini outworld acting extremely erratic, it looks to be dying. Walking around like it can't get a grip on the ground, and even when it's standing still, it's legs are shaking.

I tried to upload a video but apparently it's not possible. I'll see if I can upload it to Reddit or somewhere else and then share it, if that's allowed?

I'm worried this is something transmissable to the other workers/queen, or even my other colonies.

The queen and the other workers seem to be acting normal, but I'm very concerned. Any idea what's going on??

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[FelixTheAnter]

Here's a video of her:
https://www.reddit.c...tm_source=share

The white powder is talcum that she had knocked off the sides of the outworld & gotten all over herself by thrashing around

[Manitobant]

Could it be pesticides? What have you fed them lately?

[FelixTheAnter]

Could it be pesticides? What have you fed them lately?

I don't think so. I only give them sugar water, and insects I've raised myself


Just checked on her & she is dead

Edited by FelixTheAnter, March 20 2022 - 8:03 AM.

[ANTdrew]

This happens all the time with Camponotus, unfortunately.

[FelixTheAnter]

This happens all the time with Camponotus, unfortunately.

So I shouldn't be worried, as long as the others seem to be okay?

[azzaaazzzz00]

I wouldn't say to just completly ignore it but there's not much to do to help. They will probably survive, it usually slows or stops after a while.

[ZTYguy]

What temp is the nest at?

[ANTdrew]

Don’t worry about it unless it becomes an excessive amount of deaths. Camponotus are very talented at just dying for no seeming reason in captivity.