3 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

I have a Formica subsericea queen and she has never seemed settled in any nest. Even though the colony has slowly grown to about 30 ants they have been unhappy in a tubes and tubs set up, unhappy in a plaster mini hearth from tarheel (which most ants like) unhappy in a flat little nest. I'm trying a dirt nest now and hoping it will work.

 

I know she's unhappy since she runs out of the nest when there is a loud noise or if I bump the lid. I have put them in the bedroom on an isolated dark shelf to try to calm them... but she's still a nervous wreck. 

 

Also they never set the eggs down, her workers always hold the eggs and larvae as if they might need to run from danger at any moment. 

 

 

I really hope this dirt nest will do the trick. They are in two test tubes now and I've placed them in their new home. 

 

Why am I so bad at caring for this species?

 

I've never had any other queen run out of her nest like this. 

[Manitobant]

in my experience, some colonies seem to be more sensitive to disturbances than others. It doesn’t really affect them though, and all the colonies I’ve had do this are perfectly healthy otherwise.

[Mettcollsuss]

Some queens are just skittish, it doesn't mean the nest is unsuitable. My Formica subaenescens and Pogonomyrmex occidentalis queens run out every time there's a slight disturbance. I've even had wild F. subsericea queens bolt away from the nest when I disturbed it.

[Polyacanthus]

Mine are all very nervous too. I've seen them go berserk when I've coughed near the nest. Same with my pallidefulva. In my yard I have these two species plus Formica pergandei which routinely raid the nests of the other two species for brood, so I understand why they're so jumpy. I've found they are a little more relaxed as the colony grows but they still very nervous.