12 replies to this topic

[mete]

Is there a general rule that larger workers live longer than smaller ones ? If the species matter, particularly asking for harvesters and Messor barbarus.

[AntsGodzilla]

Is there a general rule that larger workers live longer than smaller ones ? If the species matter, particularly asking for harvesters and Messor barbarus.I

I've found that my larger Pogonomyrmex live longer than the smaller ones, for example, there is one larger than the others that is still alive from when I got them, in February, whereas some of the other smaller ones have died.

[AntsGodzilla]

And can I ask, why did you post this topic four times?

[mete]

And can I ask, why did you post this topic four times?

Sure, and sorry about that. The mobile version of the site is not working as good as desktop version I think or it was related to my phone/connection. I clicked the post button multiple times, thinking it didn't work/I couldn't click.

Edit: and I couldn't find delete yet.

Edited by mete, September 16 2024 - 11:19 AM.

[AntsGodzilla]

 

And can I ask, why did you post this topic four times?

Sure, and sorry about that. The mobile version of the site is not working as good as desktop version I think or it was related to my phone/connection. I clicked the post button multiple times, thinking it didn't work/I couldn't click.

 

oh ok lol

[cooIboyJ]

I think that usually ant workers that are bigger in size live longer, the logic behind this is probably because it takes longer and it takes more resources to get a big worker than a small worker.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

 

And can I ask, why did you post this topic four times?

Sure, and sorry about that. The mobile version of the site is not working as good as desktop version I think or it was related to my phone/connection. I clicked the post button multiple times, thinking it didn't work/I couldn't click.

Edit: and I couldn't find delete yet.

 

only a mod can delete topics

[Ants_Dakota]

I don't think there is any difference in how long workers live based off of size. I have had nanitics live for over a year in some colonies, and workers live for less.

[RushmoreAnts]

Yes, it is likely more of a species-level variation than solely dependent on size.

[mete]

I think I should have said it more explicitly, I meant if there is a correlation between lifespan and size in the same species. Across the species I know there is quite a large variation.

In other words, I wonder in general if the lifespan is longer for majors than media than minor workers in a colony.

[mete]

I was playing with ChatGPT today and I asked a few things regarding this topic. It said, generally, majors live longer than minors. The reason is majors are not usually employed in hazardous tasks like foraging outside. Foraging is both dangerous (which is not very true for a formicarium as there is no predator) and requires more physical effort (thus causes physical wear and tear). I havent thought of the second cause.

[AntsGodzilla]

That makes sense.

[RushmoreAnts]

I was playing with ChatGPT today and I asked a few things regarding this topic. It said, generally, majors live longer than minors. The reason is majors are not usually employed in hazardous tasks like foraging outside. Foraging is both dangerous (which is not very true for a formicarium as there is no predator) and requires more physical effort (thus causes physical wear and tear). I havent thought of the second cause.

Chat GPT is not the most reliable source, as it sometimes gets its information confused, though in this case it is correct that majors are used more sparingly due to the large resource investment the colony makes in producing them. This same logic can be applied to why workers in captivity live longer than wild workers for the sole reason that they are never put in danger or performing stressful labor outside.