2 replies to this topic

[Pleming]

I recently had one of my Pogonomyrmex rugosus queens die leaving behind her workers, and I noticed the cotton in the test-tube had black fungus on it. This same fungus was also in another test-tube housing a queen that failed to produce brood. All of my other species the cotton turns yellow before I have to change them. Has anyone seen this before? Also is there any correlation between the black fungus and any negative affects on the colony?

[Ants_Texas]

The fungus could be contaminating their water supply. If fungus or mold starts to grow,  you should move them out as soon as possible as it will only get worse. If you're ants don't comply with the move, you'll have to carefully use force to move them.

[Batspiderfish]

Black fungi is inevitable in a test-tube setup, and typically not cause for alarm. The ants do not drink the water; they absorb it from the humid air.