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Tetramorium (?) queens unhappy in test tubes


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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline FelixTheAnter - Posted July 10 2023 - 7:18 AM

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Hey guys. Yesterday morning I went out collecting queens since the previous evening there were nuptial flights. I found 3 queens that I believe are Tetramorium Caespitum (please correct if wrong), and put them in a typical test tube setup. However, all 3 queens are quite desperately digging at the dry cotton, trying to get out of their tubes. Any idea what's going on?
Located in the Netherlands. Found in grassy/shrubby sand dunes surrounded by forests.

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#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 10 2023 - 7:25 AM

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They will probably calm down in a day or so. Just keep them dark and undisturbed.
  • antsriondel and Ant-nig321 like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline Ant-nig321 - Posted July 10 2023 - 9:13 AM

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Make sure you don't disturb them too much and everything will be fine.

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#4 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 10 2023 - 10:21 AM

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This always happens with my Queens but after a day or two in the dark they always calm down.



#5 Offline antperson24 - Posted July 10 2023 - 11:46 AM

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I've had queens do that sort of thing for days before finally laying eggs. However they were a different genus (Formica).


 Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?

There are so many fascinating ants right were you live!

I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that are not found in your area.

 


#6 Offline Hothkinstroy - Posted July 10 2023 - 3:55 PM

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Queens commonly do this when they're first caught since they don't recognize their test tube as home yet, and their main objective is to find a suitable nesting place. So they naturally want to dig out of the test tube to fulfil this objective of finding a nesting place. She'll eventually realize the test tube is a good place for nesting though, and she'll accept it as home and lay her eggs.


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if you want to get in contact with me, here's my Discord:

 

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