8 replies to this topic

[MegaMyrmex]

Now for a massive mature colony this wouldn't be a problem but for a colony with only a queen and 1 still callow worker, then we have issues. I am currently in this situation right now and whilst photographing them, one worker escaped and I foolishly tried to pick it up but only made it gaster bend at an awkward angle and one of its legs is curling in. Will it die? I reallu don't want it to die since it's the only worker for tgis queen so far. Also, if the worker dies, will i need to feed it in sprung during the founding stage since it would have used uo all its wing muscles and fat reserves? Thanks in advance!

[AkumaArtist]

If its gaster its injured,there's a possibility that it will die,but ,if you are lucky and it didn't dammage anything important,it'll live al least some days more so it gives time to other ants to born ,so ,if that's the case,you don't need to be scared.

Altough,if it dies,I don't think you can do more than feed the queen

[Connectimyrmex]

In my experience, gaster damage does little to no harm. My old Pheidole megacephala colony had a major with a giant flake of exoskeleton peeling off her abdomen, and she still lived for another two months.

[IcarusSkybound]

In my experience, gaster damage does little to no harm. My old Pheidole megacephala colony had a major with a giant flake of exoskeleton peeling off her abdomen, and she still lived for another two months.

Did you call her The Juggernaut? You should have called her The Juggernaut. That's metal AF

[Diesel]

i had an Aphanogaster Picea worker live 4 days with no gaster at all. truly. i was like i don't even know how that is possible?

[Ants_Texas]

Now for a massive mature colony this wouldn't be a problem but for a colony with only a queen and 1 still callow worker, then we have issues. I am currently in this situation right now and whilst photographing them, one worker escaped and I foolishly tried to pick it up but only made it gaster bend at an awkward angle and one of its legs is curling in. Will it die? I reallu don't want it to die since it's the only worker for tgis queen so far. Also, if the worker dies, will i need to feed it in sprung during the founding stage since it would have used uo all its wing muscles and fat reserves? Thanks in advance!

If the worker dies, which I don't think it will for a while longer, the queen will need to be spoonfed (not literally) food until the next workers arrive. What this means is you'll have to put protein and sugar sources in the tube so the queen can actually find them. Don't sweat it, the queen will be fine as long as you do this.

[MegaMyrmex]

Alright! These ars some nice answers! Also I brought one of my camponotus colonies out of hibernation for photography, but would it be okay for me to keep them out of hibernation like this or shorten it?

[TennesseeAnts]

How long has it been?

[MegaMyrmex]

At least 2 or 3 months but jist in case I put them in the fridge with all my other hibernating ants