10 replies to this topic

[AntLoverAdam]

Is it normal for Myrmica Rubra to produce slates at 25 workers? Thanks.

[OmniusClone]

I don't know of any species that produces reproductives that early (I may be wrong). From what I understand it usually doesn't occur until the colonies second or third year, and only then if it's healthy and large enough to warrant it.

[AntsAreUs]

Sometimes it is possible for younger colonies to produce males. I'm not too sure about queen alates however.

[LC3]

Technically any colony at any age can produce alates if they have sufficient food and conditions are right.

[Puddingtempest]

I was going to ask the same question, my colony is less than 10 workers and still have not moved out of their test tube, But I noticed a winged ant in there, I'm assuming it's a male alate.

Edited by Puddingtempest, June 20 2023 - 11:07 AM.

[Virginian_ants]

I had a Aphaenogaster colony do the same just one though so I removed it so it wouldn't take to much food and released it. Only release if they are native. They had 14 workers at the time.

[Puddingtempest]

I removed two, 3 more have emerged.  This colony is still around 20 workers. 

Is it possible this queen was separated from a larger, more mature colony and sold to me?  Or do you think this is normal.

[gs5248]

I removed two, 3 more have emerged.  This colony is still around 20 workers. 

Is it possible this queen was separated from a larger, more mature colony and sold to me?  Or do you think this is normal.

Yeah, if you bought that you got an infertile alate that was still in the colony. The seller probably just grabbed an alate, clipped her wings off, threw in some workers and brood and shipped it off.

Edited by gs5248, June 30 2023 - 4:58 PM.

[Puddingtempest]

hopefully no one is going to the effort of a just a few bucks to do that.  There have been non-male births too.  

Edited by Puddingtempest, July 1 2023 - 12:09 PM.

[Puddingtempest]

I managed to remove one or two alates.  The remaining ones are badly behaved and are constantly tussling with workers.  They are in a  separate part of the nest and seem to require bouncers to keep them under control.  Rest of the colony is booming, lots of brood.

[ANTdrew]

I bet the workers will cull and eat them soon. Nature is harsh, but efficient.