6 replies to this topic

[Menagerie]

Hi again,I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a Camponotus pennsilvanicus queen in a test tube set up. It took her about 2 weeks to settle in and then she laid her first very small clutch of eggs. The next time I checked on her the eggs were gone, presumably eaten? She hasn't laid anymore since.

Will/can she lay more?

Her set up is a traditional test tube cotton reservoir at the back cotton plug in the front. I keep her under a tissue so she stays dimly lit and she sits on a shelf with my tarantula slings at room temperature. Per suggestion of a commenter on my previous post I have begun giving her a drop of sugar water every few days or so that she greedily laps up.

Is there anything else I can do to encourage her laying?

Thanks in advance

[Menagerie]

Oh and I've had her since late July early August I can't remember exactly.

[William. T]

Camponotus are skittish and easily stressed. The smallest things cause them to eat their eggs, and they gain workers at an agonizingly slow pace. Don't disturb her, and since she is going to be in hibernation soon, she will not lay much more, if at all.

[Menagerie]

But she will produce more in the spring? And how should I hibernate her? I do practice minor season differences in my house. In the summer I keep it 75 in the day and 72 at night where as the winter I keep it 72 in the day and 68 at night. Is this enough varience to simulate a cool down for her?

[William. T]

But she will produce more in the spring? And how should I hibernate her? I do practice minor season differences in my house. In the summer I keep it 75 in the day and 72 at night where as the winter I keep it 72 in the day and 68 at night. Is this enough varience to simulate a cool down for her?

Yep, she will lay in the spring. Put her in the garage. Keep it around 40-50.

[Mdrogun]

Some queens end up being duds and not producing. Whether they have bad genes or just don't want to cooperate idk. My Camponotus pennsylvanicus. queen had 10 workers when I put her into hibernation. So, keep your fingers crossed but she might be a dud.

[William. T]

Might me a dud, but Camponotus are unpredictable. I heard stories of queens that don't lay for a whole year, but with patience, and some sugary liquids, they will begin successful colonies. Fingers crossed!