10 replies to this topic

[farazsonic101]

Hi,

I have two colonies each of which has three queens and around 30 to 40 workers, one of them is already in a formicarium the other is in a small moss setup in a container, I was wondering what is the best way of joining them, I really want to but not if both colonies have a big chance of dying, but also how to do the method (try specific details)

Thank You.

[LC3]

The Myrmica rubra present in North America fracture colonies shortly before and after hibernation, they also tend to conjoin during this time aswell, usually after hibernation. Other then that I haven't heard of anyone that has attempted merging Myrmica rubra colonies,and I don't think there's a set-in-stone method for merging colonies of any species. The North American variant probably behaves differently then the European one. 

[dermy]

I honestly wouldn't do it, keep 2 colonies. It's always better to have an extra colony in case one dies out suddenly or something. 

[Canadian anter]

I'd just dump them in the same outworld. Or preferably, freeze them

[farazsonic101]

What do you mean freeze them.

[T.C.]

What do you mean freeze them.

I'm not sure what he meant, but unless you want dead ants... don't freeze them.    Perhaps he meant the fridge?

[Canadian anter]

What do you mean freeze them.

I'm not sure what he meant, but unless you want dead ants... don't freeze them. Perhaps he meant the fridge?

It was a joke... I'm not too fond of myrmica rubra. Usually you can actually join them just by putting them in the same outworld. If you want them alive don't actually freeze them.

Edited by Canadian anter, September 14 2017 - 12:34 PM.

[farazsonic101]

 

 

What do you mean freeze them.

I'm not sure what he meant, but unless you want dead ants... don't freeze them. Perhaps he meant the fridge?

It was a joke... I'm not too fond of myrmica rubra. Usually you can actually join them just by putting them in the same outworld. If you want them alive don't actually freeze them.

 

are you sure this works, have you seen it before.

[Canadian anter]

I've done it multiple times before myself. However, it only works if it's a polygyne starin.

[farazsonic101]

I've done it multiple times before myself. However, it only works if it's a polygyne starin.

So my myrmica rubra colony that both have 3 queens will fuse, are you sure they won't kill eachother , if so will one of the colonies survive

Thanks

[iXvXi]

Are you certain they are both the same species? Myrmica sp are very hard to identify without a microscope as the different species look almost identical.

If they are different, they are guaranteed to fight and dumping them in the outworld would be a bad idea.

They are one of my favorite species, but conditions need to be perfect for them to grow properly (humidity being a big factor).

My advice would be to wait until hibernation to combine them. This way, if you do make a mistake they will still be slow enough to give you enough time to remove them. It also reduces the possibility of losing both colonies during hibernation.