5 replies to this topic

[Nes187]

Over the last couple weeks I've managed to round up a couple queens of different types now that they are in test tubes how long is normal for them to start laying eggs? It's hard to tell without bugging them too much but it doesn't seem like much is happening sofar, it's been 1-2 weeks I believe,
1 of them still has wings so how long before she's determened to be a dud?

[LC3]

Just keep on waiting I guess.

[BrittonLS]

They really don't need much care at this point. In fact, doing anything is probably detrimental to them. Make sure they're in a comfortable temperature, usually between 80 and 85 from what I've heard around. Some people keep them in the dark, but others don't think it's necessary. You can try either way, but if they tug on the cotton and never settle down, try putting them in the dark, it may calm them. If you can help yourself, which, let's not kid ourselves, none of us can, you could leave them alone a month probably and it'd be around the time nanatics start hatching if your queens laid eggs. 

 

Also, sometimes they keep their wings, fertile or not, so can't really say.

[Foogoo]

They really don't need much care at this point. In fact, doing anything is probably detrimental to them. Make sure they're in a comfortable temperature, usually between 80 and 85 from what I've heard around. Some people keep them in the dark, but others don't think it's necessary. You can try either way, but if they tug on the cotton and never settle down, try putting them in the dark, it may calm them. If you can help yourself, which, let's not kid ourselves, none of us can, you could leave them alone a month probably and it'd be around the time nanatics start hatching if your queens laid eggs. 

 

Also, sometimes they keep their wings, fertile or not, so can't really say.

 

Ditto, it's really a waiting game. You can try feeding some nectar but you might risk them drowning. Some of my Pogonomyrmex didn't lay eggs for over a month. I had a few Pheidole lay a few eggs, eat them, then do nothing more. It's really hard to say.

[William. T]

If you find them all at massed nuptial flight, they probably aren't infertile duds turned out by the colony, are stand a very good chance of being fertile. Just wait and see. I find duds don't lay eggs and die.

[Nes187]

Had another 2 drop into the kids pool while i was filling it up this afternoon, one is a queen for sure so hopefully she's good the other I'm not 100% sure its not a male or a different queen of a smaller species so ill have to try and get some pictures up here maybe,