5 replies to this topic

[Roy]

Hi, I have brought my Lasius Niger colony out of hibernation and now have only two workers (I did have 21). I will look into what I did wrong while they were in hibernation but for now, as I only have two workers and they have not come out of their formicarium to feed, i'm wondering if the queen will survive and why they have not come out to feed. I'm also wondering if I can introduce new workers to the tiny colony?

[ZllGGY]

yes and no the queen can survive without workers. depends on how long she's been out of the founding stage. while some peoples colonies I've seen have gone through 2 or 3 attempts she will eventually run out of reserves and you may have to put food in her setup to help her. introducing workers is possible but is very unlikely to happen, if she needs new brood then i would look for a similar species matureish colony and poke around for some of their brood/pupae and give her those as she is more willing to accept those than already matured workers

[Zmagz]

Yeah, I recommend that you don't give her new workers and that you give her brood of another Lasius niger colony. If you can't do that, then I guess just feed them and try to get them back to where they were.

[Enderz]

Good luck with this predicament, I would do as others have told you ant look for some Lasius brood nearby to put in with her.

[Roy]

Many thanks everyone for your feedback. I have moved the small formicarium into the arena where the food is. I will keep an eye on them and see what happens.

[PwnerPie]

Many thanks everyone for your feedback. I have moved the small formicarium into the arena where the food is. I will keep an eye on them and see what happens.

 

If there are only 2 workers, put the food into the formicarium/test tube directly. WIth that few workers, I doubt they will explore as they can't risk losing another one. Get the food (honey and protein, like meal worms) as close to them as possible. Even if it disrupts them, its fine, they'll get over it.