6 replies to this topic

[yaboiseth]

I was out looking for pheidole brood in a usual spot and I lifted a rock in a nearby area to find a massive Solenopsis xyloni colony but the weird thing was that there was at least 3 active queens in the nest. The colony was in the thousands, probably more, and had an abundance of brood so it was an old and healthy colony. But the thing is I don't recall any Solenopsis being poly so was what I saw just a pleo colony that hasnt killed off the queens despite being old or did I actually see a poly colony? I need to hear some of your thoughts. 

[Manitobant]

Some populations of xyloni are indeed polygynous, in particular the black variety from arizona. Never heard of any in cali though.

Edited by Manitobant, September 23 2022 - 4:34 PM.

[NicholasP]

Can confirm that S. xyloni are poly in Tucson. They form what's called macrogynes and microgynes. Macrogynes are large xyloni queens that only tolerate one queen and microgynes are smaller xyloni queens that can have multiple queens.

[Somethinghmm]

That colony you found is definitely polygynous and there are other populations of poly S. xyloni in California

[yaboiseth]

That colony you found is definitely polygynous and there are other populations of poly S. xyloni in California

So there is a slight possibility I could successfully keep a poly colony in captivity if its found in my area correct? I currently have a 10 queen colony that's getting pretty large but havent killed off a single queen.

[FinWins]

I have a colony of poly S. xyloni all the other queen fought but one group is getting along fine with each other.

[That_one_ant_guy]

I've had multiple colonies with 8-10 queens, and a couple hundred of workers