28 replies to this topic

[Ryan1207]

I think that she is either a black carpenter ant or a pavement ant. She is 7 millimeters in length and was caught in NE philadelphia in the late evening (4pm). This is my first queen and she was caught July 12th 2016 (trying to be very specific). I do not have any good pictures based on the current situation but have her in a 10 ml test tube with the basic test tube set up. It will not let me upload a picture but I hope this works.

 

Hope you guys know what it is  

It worked! 

[Batspiderfish]

She is a Lasius temporary social parasite, although I can't quite tell which. She will need 20 or so Lasius sp. host workers (only from inside the nest) with some brood in order to start a colony.

Edited by Batspiderfish, July 12 2016 - 6:37 PM.

[Ryan1207]

She is a Lasius temporary social parasite, although I can't quite tell which. She will need 20 or so Lasius sp. host workers (only from inside the nest) with some brood in order to start a colony.

So I need to get workers from another colony to make her have her own? How many? Is she still fully claustral? Can it be any other ant species? I hope you are able to wander my questions.
I meant answer. Stupid auto correct.

[Ryan1207]

Sorry I know it is 20 or so workers now. Sometimes I do not read stuff all the way.

[Batspiderfish]

Social parasites aren't exactly claustral nor semi-claustral, since founding queens start off with a colony right away. You'd have to leave the tube open, since the workers will want to forage. If you provided more pictures (not the underneath of the queen, which are not useful) then I could probably get it down to the species, but I am pretty certain of her social parasite status.

Edited by Batspiderfish, July 13 2016 - 2:47 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

When you have the workers, give both the queen tube and the worker tube adjacent access to each other in an escape-proof outworld/foraging space. I find that the choice of access to the host workers is sometimes safer for the queen than forcing both parties into a closed space withing the fridge, as is the common approach to an introduction.

Keep in mind that Lasius use formic acid in defense, so the workers should be collected in a spacious container, so as not to gas themselves.

 

My first queen was also a social parasite.

Edited by Batspiderfish, July 13 2016 - 3:15 AM.

[Ryan1207]

When you have the workers, give both the queen tube and the worker tube adjacent access to each other in an escape-proof outworld/foraging space. I find that the choice of access to the host workers is sometimes safer for the queen than forcing both parties into a closed space withing the fridge, as is the common approach to an introduction.
Keep in mind that Lasius use formic acid in defense, so the workers should be collected in a spacious container, so as not to gas themselves.
 
My first queen was also a social parasite.

Thanks for all the info!
But how would I obtain the brood without destroying a nest? Do I need brood? Do the host workers have to be lasius?

[Batspiderfish]

If you flip flat stones near Lasius nests, it isn't extremely difficult or destructive to get what you need. Just be sure to put the rock back as near to the way you found it as you can manage. Yes, Lasius social parasites definitely need host workers from other Lasius.

 

The brood may not be essential, but I believe they can be helpful during the founding stages of these queens -- they are a source of protein (larvae will regurgitate some of the digested solid foods they have eaten) and callow workers (which are very enthusiastic about brood care and will imprint upon the queen). You will want the youngest workers for a host species introduction, because they are the least aggressive, and these are often found with the brood.

[Ryan1207]

I just collected 20 very small black ants to use. I couldn't seem to find any bread under rocks This will have to do.
*brood

[Batspiderfish]

Let's get a positive ID on the workers, so we know they're Lasius.

[Ryan1207]

I will show a pic

[Ryan1207]

Let's get a positive ID on the workers, so we know they're Lasius.

These ones can climb over vaseline

[Batspiderfish]

Aha! These are Tetramorium workers, which often do nest in the same general habitat as Lasius neoniger. Sadly, these workers won't do.

[Ryan1207]

Dang. If I don't find workers d=soon will my queen die?

[Batspiderfish]

Something more like this:

[Batspiderfish]

Dang. If I don't find workers d=soon will my queen die?

It's hard to say, without knowing which Lasius species she is, but if you can offer her a tiny drop of sugar water, she will probably appreciate it.

[Batspiderfish]

 

They'll be a little bit bigger than the workers you found, but not way bigger.

[Ryan1207]

Thanks I will treat her to sugar water. I will look after it rains for some lasius workers

[Batspiderfish]

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can let her go after you feed her and let her find her destiny in the wild. Social parasites can be daunting for new and experienced ant keepers alike.

[Batspiderfish]

If you have a ruler with cm, Lasius will usually be about 3.5-4mm and Tetramorium will top out at 3mm