If the head can fit, the body can fit. The gaster must be the most flexible part of the queen. I have had a queen go flat to avoid getting in a smaller tube(Flat as her head). Although you do want to be careful, the gaster is delicate compatire to the rest of the body.Generally the queen should be able to pass - depending on your species the majors can get even bigger than the queen (especially the storage majors) i don't think that's the case for herculeanus though.
You can still look for a bigger straw later (there are those really big long party straws used for Sangria buckets but regular coffee straws should be sufficient for most Camponotus), for now it should be fine.
If they need to move soon you can also just remove the entire cotton plug.
Edited by FloridaAnts, August 6 2022 - 7:24 PM.
