4 replies to this topic

[Tspivey16]

Any thoughts on lasting effects of a queen that is missing an antennae?

 

I found this queen with a couple workers but just noticed that she is missing an antennae, and may have been this way when I found her. She seems to be producing eggs fine as you can see in the pic.

 

Does anyone know of any effects, longevity, etc. that this may do to the colony start up?

 

 

 

[Mercutia]

I know people who have had queens with missing antennae do just fine and start very healthy colonies. I wouldn't worry about it to much.

[Crystals]

It usually doesn't affect the queens too much if they have one entire antennae left.  She may have a bit shorter life, but she will probably still see 8 years or so.

[dspdrew]

I have heard that different segments of the antenna do different important things. I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is, I would bet as long as she still has at least one she might be alright. Now, I just happen to have a Crematogaster queen with only one antenna, and she's doing just fine. She was the first queen I ever found, and I have had her for well over a year now.

[Lieutenant Redundant]

I had a P. Badius queen with only one antennae.  It was kinda tragic.  She had a lot of trouble locating her newly laid eggs.  She eventually died before her eggs got to the larva stage.  

 

Soooo.....if yours has workers than she should be fine!

Edited by Lieutenant Redundant, May 26 2014 - 12:54 AM.