5 replies to this topic

[ooper]

My understanding of Formica queens is that they are fully claustral and nearly always hibernate their first winter before laying their first batch of eggs. (Please correct me if I'm wrong) I plan on taking a few Formica queens that I collected late last Fall out of hibernation now. Wondering if I should provide a food source to a fully claustral queen coming out of her first hibernation??

Thanks!

[Ants4fun]

You can if you want, but it's not necessary. I actually had most of my Formica queens raise nanitics before hibernation. If they are caught later in the season, they might choose to hibernate first however.

[ooper]

You can if you want, but it's not necessary. I actually had most of my Formica queens raise nanitics before hibernation. If they are caught later in the season, they might choose to hibernate first however.

Yeah mine chose to hibernate. By the way, what do you feed your Formica colonies?

[Ants4fun]

I actually had to get rid of all my colonies for a few reasons, but I found my Formica liked fruit flies and hummingbird nectar.

[notmyidea]

I keep Formica. I typically don't feed them till the nanitics emerge. Then they'll eat vigorously. My Formicas go crazy for fruit flies and honey water.

[Will230145]

Mine go crazy for mealworms and cooked pure chicken with NOTHING on it!