5 replies to this topic

[AntswerMe]

Hey fellow anters! My Camponotus floridanus queen I've had for over a year (somewhat over 14 months) passed away a few weeks ago from unknown reasons. Since this is my largest and longest currently living colony (about 200 workers at the time of the queens death and slightly more now as there is still much brood developing and enclosing) as well as my most precious, I'm trying to introduce a new queen. I've already tried once. In the outworld I've placed a mesh separating the queen and the workers, and they aknowledged each other. Whenever I removed the mesh however, the workers proceeded to kill the queen, with the queen bringing down a few workers with her. I've also heard that cooling down ants can make them more accepting of new queens. So would this work, and is is possible to even introduce new Camponotus queens to colonies?

Edited by AntswerMe, August 11 2017 - 12:15 AM.

[Shaye]

I had extreme trouble once with a large Pogonomyrmex colony, whose queen had recently died, in getting them to accept a new queen. Eventually after cooling the colony and queen multiple times to no avail, I decided to try a little experiment. I first gorged the queen until she would no longer eat, then I made a mesh cube and put the queen in it. Once secured, I put the boxed queen into the deepest part of their nest and waited for two days so she could hopefully gain a bit of their scent. Once released from her prison, and the entire colony + queen getting one last cooling, she was warily accepted and eventually started laying eggs to continue the colonies life.

Your comment on a mesh barrier reminded me of this, so I thought I'd post it.

Edited by Shaye, August 9 2017 - 11:50 PM.

[dermy]

I'm not sure if it will work but I think Crystals has had success with hibernating queenless colonies and then introducing a queen to it afterwards. I'm not sure if it will work but it might be worth a try. Other than that sorry but if that doesn't work it might mean the colony is doomed

[AntswerMe]

I'm going to try again with the mesh and feed the queen until she's full. This time I'll keep her in her little area for a few days Instead of hours so that hopefully the workers will accept her. If that still doesn't work I'll try the cooling method.

[fANTastic]

COOL

 

Does introducing queens to a queenless colony work for all ant species or just for a few?

[Shaye]

It really is a touch-and-go type of situation. I personally think that some are harder than others. Some may not even be possible, but I have limited experience due to limited opportunities.