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Founding a parasitic Formica queen?

Started By Lou9x9 , Jul 28 2017 11:16 AM
parasitic formica

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Lou9x9 - Posted July 28 2017 - 11:16 AM

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So I recently caught this queen and was told this it was a parasitic formica. I believe it's a formica subintegra but that's only a little better than a guess.

 

If I wanted to found a colony with her what would I need to do? Can I just throw her in another tube with another formica queen?

 

Has anyone kept these guys before?

20292787_10213977813468595_1274915772372

 


#2 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 28 2017 - 11:25 AM

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Look at the pinned one which says 'much ado about Lasius social parasitic queens'. That's all the information you'll need. Good Luck!


  • Lou9x9 likes this

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus

#3 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 28 2017 - 3:38 PM

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Formica social parasites are different from Lasius, but easier to found. They only need Formica pupae, which the queens are capable of caring for and opening. Some raiding species may be more dependent on host workers than others.


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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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Black lives still matter.

#4 Offline Lou9x9 - Posted July 29 2017 - 7:10 AM

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Formica social parasites are different from Lasius, but easier to found. They only need Formica pupae, which the queens are capable of caring for and opening. Some raiding species may be more dependent on host workers than others.

 

I was thinking I would put her test tube in a container with test tube containing a Formica queen and some brood. That way she could either take the brood or join the existing queen and eventually succeed her.


#5 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted July 29 2017 - 10:08 AM

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If you need help finding pupa, look for a Polyrgus or another formica parasite species conducting a raid. I got like 20 or so pupa, larvae, and 1 callow worker. Callow workers(freshly eclosed workers) could work as well


Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

 

#6 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 29 2017 - 6:11 PM

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Formica social parasites are different from Lasius, but easier to found. They only need Formica pupae, which the queens are capable of caring for and opening. Some raiding species may be more dependent on host workers than others.

 

I was thinking I would put her test tube in a container with test tube containing a Formica queen and some brood. That way she could either take the brood or join the existing queen and eventually succeed her.

 

 
When sanguinea group Formica found a colony, they do so by scaring off or killing the adult members and raising the abandoned brood as her own.


Edited by Batspiderfish, July 29 2017 - 6:14 PM.

If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

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