9 replies to this topic

[AntThingGG]

On September 30th I found 3 Invicta queens in my local garden. I put them in a test tube setup and I had them in there for about 2 weeks now at room temperature in the dark. I am a beginner ant keeper and I have never kept ants before. I will make polls a couple days a week about how they are doing and asking how tf do I diy [censored]. So far queen 3 has a small batch of eggs and 2 also. Queen 1 has eggs scattered around so I think she is a lost cause. Please follow this as I am a beginner and I need your input!

[AntThingGG]

If I add a unfertilized queen to a polygamous colony will they accept it for extra male production?

[1tsm3jack]

If I add a unfertilized queen to a polygamous colony will they accept it for extra male production?

Maybe, but most likely if the queen is infertile she will just end up dying, also at this super early stage a queen that only produces males is way to many resources for a colony that doesn't even have any workers.

[AntsTx]

You're in for a long ride. Solenopsis invicta is a pain to keep contained, especially in DIY setups.

[cooIboyJ]

I am currently keeping Solenopsis invicta right now, and you can see how I have kept them in my journal. You can find my journal in my signature.

[ANTdrew]

You should do a simple tub and tubes setup. Hobby Lobby display cases make great containers. Line the bottom with a thin layer of dry sand and put as many test tubes as you need in the tub. Paint the top with talc mixed with rubbing alcohol as a barrier. Better yet, cut a donut hole out of the lid and and paint talc on the bottom of the lid as a rim. That’s all the diy you need for a very successful setup.

Edited by ANTdrew, October 8 2024 - 2:35 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

If I add a unfertilized queen to a polygamous colony will they accept it for extra male production?

Why would you need extra male production? All workers are female, and males serve absolutely no purpose besides mating with queens (which only happens during nuptial flight, not in the nest with a few exceptions). They drain a colony's resources while doing no work, so your colony would be better off without them. If a colony does accept an unfertilized queen, it will either die or behave like a large worker. There really isn't any benefit to it.

[AntsGodzilla]

See, but I think having extra large workers are awesome lol

[AntThingGG]

 

If I add a unfertilized queen to a polygamous colony will they accept it for extra male production?

Maybe, but most likely if the queen is infertile she will just end up dying, also at this super early stage a queen that only produces males is way to many resources for a colony that doesn't even have any workers.

 

Not yet but when the two colonies have about 60 workers each

 

If I add a unfertilized queen to a polygamous colony will they accept it for extra male production?

Why would you need extra male production? All workers are female, and males serve absolutely no purpose besides mating with queens (which only happens during nuptial flight, not in the nest with a few exceptions). They drain a colony's resources while doing no work, so your colony would be better off without them. If a colony does accept an unfertilized queen, it will either die or behave like a large worker. There really isn't any benefit to it.

 

I just really don't want to kill her

[ANTdrew]

Ants don’t practice polygamy.