6 replies to this topic

[noebl1]

I got a P. Imparis for another member and noticed a bit of mold starting to form on the cotton ball in the test tube around the edges. She's on a bit of a restart as she was in with other queens he said originally, and didn't really move out of her test tube with the rest of them/workers.  He separated her and she started laying again in her tube, and he gave her to me.  I connected a new tube, surrounded it in aluminum foil, covered it with a padded envelope as well so it's dark.  I put her underneath the light as I've read tips on.  However she literally picked up at least one of the visible eggs on the side, moved it to the middle of the cotton ball and refuses to budge after a few days (doesn't seem phased really by light at all.)  Any other suggestions to getting her to move and potentially bringing her brood with her?  

 

My concern is that if she did indeed restart laying after a bad start this season, not sure if she's up for a 3rd restart of laying if I just forced her over.  I really have wanted one of these queens for awhile, so really hoping not to overstress her...  

 

My other thought was if the mold isn't bugging her, just leave her alone in the dark for a couple weeks and just see what happens...

 

Thanks!

[randeee]

I found that P. imparis were a huge hassle to move in general... They don't mind light but they can't stand heat. I recommend trying the heat but sometimes they don't move with heat either.

[Batspiderfish]

Don't force queens to move unless absolutely necessary. Always give them access to a clean tube and let them move on their own. Stressing the queen out does more harm than a little mold ever will.

 

She might not have the resources to start another colony if she was separated from her communal workers and brood.

Edited by Batspiderfish, August 15 2016 - 10:56 AM.

[noebl1]

She might not have the resources to start another colony if she was separated from her communal workers and brood.

I was worried about this... Is she a lost cause or can I supplement her to help?

[Saftron]

Give her some protein and a little drop of honey

[Mdrogun]

My colony is in a test tube with a good amount of mold and they are doing fine. I would recommend moving the queen once she gets 30 workers. My colony has 11 workers and they're so timid they won't even come to the end of the test tube, I can't even imagine trying to move them let alone a single queen.

[noebl1]

Thank you for all the replies.  I removed the extra tube for now and put in a bit of honey and some protein.  Will set her aside for a bit and not keep doting on her for a bit to see if she makes it.  Guessing one of those situations trying to do too much will probably make things worse.