2 replies to this topic

[FloridaAnts]

Recently, I took a branch in the floor of the woods. It was full of twig ants. After breaking the stick open, I found 4 female alates and swarms of males(only 6 or 7 survived). After finding the didn’t have a queen, I gave them a test tube and left them to die, to say, as workers don’t live long. Today, I went to check on them, as I wanted my container back… when I came to the enclosure, two workers dead along with 4-5 males. I took them for dead, so I slid the tinfoil back to see brood and about 20 workers. There was also no alates, only 3 dealate queens. I saw them having nuptial flights in the container once, but I never thought they would actually mate… (Note I had been feeding the workers so they didn’t starve) There are three queens, and before you all point out these ants are monogynos, not exactly. This article has nothing to due with this, but out of 75 colonies collected, 3 had more than one queen. Here is the article-

https://www.research...lication_detail

Now, taking into account there are 3 queens, are they all unmated and just worker-like?

Any replies are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Edited by FloridaAnts, May 15 2022 - 11:57 AM.

[OiledOlives]

What species is it? Pseudomyrmex pallidus is known to inbreed.

[FloridaAnts]

P. gracilis or a subspecies that looks similar

Edited by FloridaAnts, May 15 2022 - 12:51 PM.