3 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Has anyone noticed this correlation before? It's been pretty warm lately so the ant area is probably around 85 degrees most of the day. I've been keeping them fed and watered but I've been having Camponotus, P. rugosus, P. californicus, and Myrmecocystus eating their eggs and brood. I can't think of anything else stressing them out, they're mostly in the dark as well. Any thoughts?

[William. T]

I never noticed any correlation, but my species are very hardy. You got some very sensitive species. I can't imagine 85 degrees stressing out Pogonomyrmex or Honeypots, especially when in the desert these are common temperatures.

[Huch]

I have not noticed this either. What I often see are colonies that slow down on egg laying, brood development, and foraging. I don't know why either.

[Anhzor]

Heat is usually good for eggs development in Pogonomyrmex as long as it doesn't exceed a certain point.  We may never know the real reason for egg eating, but not all eggs are fertile and some eggs are just lay as a food source (myrmecocystus).  In some species brood eating usually come at a certain time of year in preparation for hibernation. Hunger and lack of certain nutrition may cause eggs consumption, but I have a hunch most eggs that are eaten are already dead (for whatever reason).