3 replies to this topic

[Fairyfish]

I collected two Lasius Niger Queens on 28th July and gave them both a small pinpirck of honey each in their tubes and left them in the dark, checking every 6 days or so. I'm in the North West UK and room temp has been 18 to 25c since then. They both layed eggs within a few days. It's now 19th September and I'm worried that the eggs are not developing into the larvae stage. I'm new to ant keeping so it's difficult for me to identify the stage of the eggs so I have uploaded some photos. Do these eggs look about right for the 7 week mark? Should I leave them a bit longer or would it help to offer a little bit of sugar?

 

Thankyou!

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[Ants_Dakota]

I collected two Lasius Niger Queens on 28th July and gave them both a small pinpirck of honey each in their tubes and left them in the dark, checking every 6 days or so. I'm in the North West UK and room temp has been 18 to 25c since then. They both layed eggs within a few days. It's now 19th September and I'm worried that the eggs are not developing into the larvae stage. I'm new to ant keeping so it's difficult for me to identify the stage of the eggs so I have uploaded some photos. Do these eggs look about right for the 7 week mark? Should I leave them a bit longer or would it help to offer a little bit of sugar?

 

Thankyou!

Those are definitely small larvae, but that does seem slow for Lasius growth. However, there is a strong regional difference between genetics on Lasius. For example, in some parts of the United States, Lasius will not even lay eggs before diapause. It is up to you if you want to leave them alone, as Lasius are pretty good about disturbances. However, I would feed them a cricket leg or fruit flies this time instead of sugar (or both) to feed those hungry larvae.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, September 19 2024 - 5:52 AM.

[Fairyfish]

 

I collected two Lasius Niger Queens on 28th July and gave them both a small pinpirck of honey each in their tubes and left them in the dark, checking every 6 days or so. I'm in the North West UK and room temp has been 18 to 25c since then. They both layed eggs within a few days. It's now 19th September and I'm worried that the eggs are not developing into the larvae stage. I'm new to ant keeping so it's difficult for me to identify the stage of the eggs so I have uploaded some photos. Do these eggs look about right for the 7 week mark? Should I leave them a bit longer or would it help to offer a little bit of sugar?

 

Thankyou!

Those are definitely small larvae, but that does seem slow for Lasius growth. However, there is a strong regional difference between genetics on Lasius. For example, in some parts of the United States, Lasius will not even lay eggs before diapause. It is up to you if you want to leave them alone, as Lasius are pretty good about disturbances. However, I would feed them a cricket leg or fruit flies this time instead of sugar (or both) to feed those hungry larvae.

 

Ok thankyou I'll try both! I think I can get meal worms at the local pet store so I'll try a small slice of that along with a small blip of sugar solution and see if that helps them along!

[Ants_Dakota]

 

 

I collected two Lasius Niger Queens on 28th July and gave them both a small pinpirck of honey each in their tubes and left them in the dark, checking every 6 days or so. I'm in the North West UK and room temp has been 18 to 25c since then. They both layed eggs within a few days. It's now 19th September and I'm worried that the eggs are not developing into the larvae stage. I'm new to ant keeping so it's difficult for me to identify the stage of the eggs so I have uploaded some photos. Do these eggs look about right for the 7 week mark? Should I leave them a bit longer or would it help to offer a little bit of sugar?

 

Thankyou!

Those are definitely small larvae, but that does seem slow for Lasius growth. However, there is a strong regional difference between genetics on Lasius. For example, in some parts of the United States, Lasius will not even lay eggs before diapause. It is up to you if you want to leave them alone, as Lasius are pretty good about disturbances. However, I would feed them a cricket leg or fruit flies this time instead of sugar (or both) to feed those hungry larvae.

 

Ok thankyou I'll try both! I think I can get meal worms at the local pet store so I'll try a small slice of that along with a small blip of sugar solution and see if that helps them along!

 

In order to keep your test tube as clean as possible, try to use wax paper or tin foil to keep the food from touching the glass. This allows you to remove it when she is done easily and without it molding. If you ever buy a formicarium for them, I would recommend purchasing something like this to help keep your life easier in the future.