5 replies to this topic

[Californian Anter]

Recently, my queen lost all her workers and I moved her into a test tube setup. She has a 1-2 really big larvae, 3-4 smaller ones, and some eggs. If I consistently feed her sugar water and protein, is it possible for her to get workers again and start another colony?

[AntswerMe]

Sure. She should be able to. How many workers did she lose?

[Californian Anter]

Sure. She should be able to. How many workers did she lose?

8 workers, which is a lot. She would have had new workers, but ate all her brood for no reason.

[Canadian anter]

Most queens cannot found their colony twice

[AntswerMe]

I have had a queen that did this. A Solenopsis invicta queen. It had a few workers, only for them to die. She then ate her brood and laid more eggs, which went on to become more workers. This was about a year ago and i have since released the colony, but you get the gist. it can happen.

Edited by AntswerMe, April 25 2017 - 6:27 PM.

[Alabama Anter]

I have had a queen that did this. a Solenopsis invicta queen. It had a few workers, only for them to die. She then ate her brood and laid more eggs, which went on to become more workers. This was about a year ago and i have since released the colony, but you get the gist. it can happen.

Note that this is Solenopsis invicta. More invasive, and the heat is a HUGE contribution to that. They also have a WAY faster growth rate than Camponotus. But yes, it can happen.