6 replies to this topic

[AnthonyP163]

10/30/16

This is my Solenopsis Invicta colony, she is just getting her first workers, and currently has four. She has a dark pupae, and a few more pupae. She also just laid another batch of eggs. These ants don't need to hibernate, so they will grow over the winter.


Here's a picture of them.

https://imgur.com/gallery/p8rCv

I'll continue to update them, so follow along.

[Solenoqueen]

Sounds good! Hope it grows up to a decent size

[AnthonyP163]

So, it's been about a week. I checked on them too much and she ate her brood, and she still has 4 workers.


Thankfully, she's laid, and I'm checking on her way less often. I'd estimate that she has about 25 or so eggs.

https://imgur.com/gallery/5nNPT

[AnthonyP163]

About 6 larvae look like they're about to eclose. Also, I bought a few queens from someone in Illinois, so I'm giving one to a friend,?-'d keeping the other 2. Will have pictures once Queen 1 gets her second round of workers.

[AnthonyP163]

This Colony hasnt been doing good. the queen ate all but 1 of her pupae. 1 worker died, leaving the queen with 3. Also, they won't accept any food. The only good thing is that she laid some more eggs.

[AnthonyP163]

The colony went downhill until finally the last worker died on the 3rd. The queen died on the 6th. Maybe next time.

[Superant33]

Next time boost them. You don't even need to boost with larvae or eggs. Collect around 20 invicta workers and place a them in the fridge. Once they stop moving, introduce them to the queen. This method has always worked for me with S. invicta. With other species, it hasn't worked well for me. Going to try it with some Pogonomyrmex though . . .