6 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

Hey all, I have a queen camponotous Pennsylvanicus queen with larvae. I will be putting her into hibernation but yesterday when I was working we working cutting and splitting logs we split a log open with a lot of hibernating carpenter ants and larvae. ( Unfortunately the queen got smashed.) I gathered a pile of the larvae and put them into a small container with with wet cotton ball. My queen has about 8 larvae now, should I giver her any of this new larvae? I know she will starve or some of the larvae will starve to death if their is too many, but my question is would you give her any of these. Their is some larger larvae so i assume these are going to be majors.

 

Any suggestions is truly appreciated....  Thanks

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

BTW, the pumpkin profile picture is just a temporary thing.

Edited by T.C., October 24 2016 - 5:51 AM.

[Antsinmycloset]

All larvae, no pupae?

[T.C.]

All larvae, no pupae?

Yep, kind of wierd but it was all larvae

[NightsWebs]

if you give the larva to your queen supply food and see if she feeds them.  ensure the queen doesn't even have to actually forage if the food is in the nest.  I think its a worth while risk.  At the very least,  the queen will place the larva on the food.  The risk is worth the benefit if all works out.  You might even try introducing a single worker but that's always a harrowing experience.

[T.C.]

if you give the larva to your queen supply food and see if she feeds them.  ensure the queen doesn't even have to actually forage if the food is in the nest.  I think its a worth while risk.  At the very least,  the queen will place the larva on the food.  The risk is worth the benefit if all works out.  You might even try introducing a single worker but that's always a harrowing experience.

hmmm... I'll think on it, thanks Night Webs

[Antsinmycloset]

I just want to say eight larvae sounds like she's doing pretty darn well. If it was me, I'd definitely include a few of the largest larvae, but I wouldn't risk upsetting the balance too much.

I've read larvae typically hang out at the first instar waiting for spring, and that eggs/pupae don't generally survive hibernation. Do larvae of all stages do fine with hibernation, or is it generally just the smaller ones? Depending on how ready the queen is for hibernation, it may be worth considering delaying hibernation until those large larvae could cocoon and eclose. Hopefully someone with more knowledge on larvae and hibernation will chime in here. A pile of molding brood next to her young larvae could make this colony take a turn for the worse.

Not trying to be negative, just would be a shame to mess something up for a queen that seems to be doing okay. If there were pupae too, this would be so much easier.

[T.C.]

Well, actually she has stopped developing the brood she has in preparation for hibernation. So... ???