5 replies to this topic

[Dnail]

My Odontomachus queen acting strange. I know she laying more than one egg (and its more than 1 batch around 4 each batch) but i only see 1 larva. is she feed her egg to larva? or she ate it her self? I'm sure i provide her with enough food.

Edited by Dnail, May 12 2018 - 8:06 PM.

[Phoenix]

How many times do you feed her per week?

[Dnail]

at first i gave her 2 little moth every 3 days, but after the 1st batch gone i add the portion to half of meal worm every 2 days. soon she laying egg again but now its gone again. i check her gaster n it look like a full belly.  so I think that's not the problem with the food.

[123LordOfAnts123]

Odontomachus larvae are fast growing and need to feed constantly on insects. They can reach pupation size in as little as a week after hatching. Adults of the genus have no way of providing food to their larvae other than insect parts and the laying of trophic eggs. (The latter of which I’ve never seen a queen do; trophic eggs are quite distinct) Mealworms —unless they’re very tiny— are not a suitable food for these ants. Odontomachus adults will feed from the exposed hemolymph of a cut mealworm but their mandibles are extremely inefficient at processing anything other than small soft bodied prey. If there are no visible insect remains being fed to the larvae, then chances are they will only eat fertile eggs or starve while the queen remains healthy. The former is a poor use of resources.

[Dnail]

Odontomachus larvae are fast growing and need to feed constantly on insects. They can reach pupation size in as little as a week after hatching. Adults of the genus have no way of providing food to their larvae other than insect parts and the laying of trophic eggs. (The latter of which I’ve never seen a queen do; trophic eggs are quite distinct) Mealworms —unless they’re very tiny— are not a suitable food for these ants. Odontomachus adults will feed from the exposed hemolymph of a cut mealworm but their mandibles are extremely inefficient at processing anything other than small soft bodied prey. If there are no visible insect remains being fed to the larvae, then chances are they will only eat fertile eggs or starve while the queen remains healthy. The former is a poor use of resources.

hooo thanks, i will feed it other food. maybe she laying trophic egg because she laying egg in this term 1-4-4. how to know it is trophic egg or fertile egg?

[123LordOfAnts123]

In this genus, worker laid trophic eggs appear roundish and misshapen, and they’re noticeably flaccid or soft when handled by adults.