5 replies to this topic

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Not sure if it’s already documented, but I was watching my backyard Crematogaster sp. (most likely cerasi) and I saw the workers put their own queens and males into a pull with their jaws. It didn’t seem like they were killing the alates however, they weren’t dabbing their venom, and when I chased the workers off the alates would go straight back to get stretched by the workers. I have a video, I’ll link it here when it’s uploaded.

[ANTdrew]

Sometimes alates want to fly while workers feel conditions aren’t right, so you’ll see them trying to pull the alates back into the nest.

[rptraut]

Hello michiganantsinmyyard;

 

I've seen workers of other types of ants that seem to be forcing the alates out of the nest and encouraging them to fly.

RPT

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Sometimes alates want to fly while workers feel conditions aren’t right, so you’ll see them trying to pull the alates back into the nest.

Could have been it, but nuptial flights were in full swing. Alates were definitely flying everywhere, I caught six so far.

[ANTdrew]

Alates and workers can still get in disagreements.

[RushmoreAnts]

True, so can workers. When moving into a new nest workers often disagree on whether the old or new nest is better suited for the brood. They will express their differing opinions by bringing the brood back and forth to the nest they prefer, getting absolutely nothing done until a final decision is made. I've also seen them disagree on where to take the queen, and will attempt to drag her in two or more directions.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, August 29 2024 - 1:30 PM.