9 replies to this topic

[cmiller]

It is a second year queen. The first brood made it to workers but they mysteriously died after estivation.

There are currently no workers.

Here we are going on her second brood. She has been laying eggs since about March, she tends to them, but once they get to pupa stage and very close to workers, I find body pieces littered. I believe she's is killing them before they make it to a full worker. Because I haven't seen the pupa darken up like it has in the past. I can even see the little black eyes on the pupa head after she's ripped it apart.

After I remove the pieces, the cycle is repeated as she has new eggs.



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[AsdinAnts]

how often are you checking up on her?

[Ernteameise]

What species is this?

How often do you feed her?

How often are they disturbed?

Is this colony normally covered and kept away from stressful environment (vibrations like TV and stereo or even a busy corridor)?

Also, the cotton wool looks wet instead of moist, too much humidity could also be a factor.

[cmiller]

What species is this?
How often do you feed her?
How often are they disturbed?
Is this colony normally covered and kept away from stressful environment (vibrations like TV and stereo or even a busy corridor)?
Also, the cotton wool looks wet instead of moist, too much humidity could also be a factor.

Formica. I feed her every 3 days and she's not disturbed outside the feeding times. In a dark closet away from everything

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[AsdinAnts]

you don’t need to feed the queens if they’re founding, the exception is semi-claustral queens though.

Edited by AsdinAnts, June 27 2024 - 6:36 AM.

[Stubyvast]

hmm yes if they are semi-claustral definitely feed...if this queen is in second year stage and full-claustral, I'd still suggest you feed her, just because her wing muscles were probably completely used up in the first year, leaving her with no internal food supply. It is possible that the food you are introducing into her test tube is disturbing her, making her stressed and prone to eating her brood. Strange though that she does this at this stage. I'd suggest only feeding her very small bits of food, and much more liquids, in order to avoid disturbing her too much. Judging by her posture in the photos she seemed pretty freaked out. Weird! Hope she does okay! 

Edited by Stubyvast, July 1 2024 - 8:11 AM.

[The_Gaming-gate]

“If they are semi-claustral don’t feed?” Huh? Anyways, I would just remove late-stage pupae and give the queen callow workers that eclose from the pupae.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Yeah semi-claustral ants need feeding.

 I recall Formica should have cocoons

Edited by GOCAMPONOTUS, July 1 2024 - 12:59 PM.

[Stubyvast]

“If they are semi-claustral don’t feed?” Huh? Anyways, I would just remove late-stage pupae and give the queen callow workers that eclose from the pupae.

Yup thanks edited that

[NotAxo]

Avoid disturbing her and minimize feeding. Check on her every 7 days or longer; the less you disturb her, the better.