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Workers moving queen?

Started By Kwitzats , May 4 2016 1:21 PM

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3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Kwitzats - Posted May 4 2016 - 1:21 PM

Kwitzats

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I thought that the queen ruled the roost, but I noted a worker dragging the queen into a spot by her antennae. Is this normal?

IMHO of course.

#2 Offline Mdrogun - Posted May 4 2016 - 1:26 PM

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I thought that the queen ruled the roost, but I noted a worker dragging the queen into a spot by her antennae. Is this normal?

Queens don't really rule anything. If anything workers rule. The queens are just big fat ants that produce all of the eggs for the colony. The workers only treat her like a queen because the health of the colony depends on the health of the queen. The worker was moving the queen to a spot that was more comfortable for her. There is not really a better way to move her. Oh, I forgot to answer your question. Yes, this is a normal thing, I see my colonies do this all the time.


Edited by Mdrogun, May 4 2016 - 5:29 PM.

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Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole pilifera

Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega

#3 Offline Kwitzats - Posted May 4 2016 - 1:34 PM

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Well, she seems to have settled in.



20160504_161205_zps1m5y6cco.jpg
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IMHO of course.

#4 Offline Crystals - Posted May 4 2016 - 6:35 PM

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Very common.  A worker will grab a mandible or an antennae and drag - or sometimes even lift and carry the queen.

With alates, they often grab the thorax and the alate will curl up to be carried.


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

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