94 replies to this topic

[AnthonyP163]

At the beginning of March, it reached about 58 degrees Fahrenheit in Wisconsin. I found a lone Lasius parasitic queen wandering the leaf litter. If these ants are unable to find a host colony before winter, they hibernate and keep looking in the spring.

 

I then kept the queen for a few days, after feeding her some sugar water. I then noticed my strange  Lasius cf. alienus colony had a nanitic. (I say strange because I'm unsure exactly what to call them.) Here was their Identification thread.

 

I got this nanitic to crawl on a pencil tip and put it in its own test tube. I then put both the social parasite, and the nanitic in the fridge. I intended to take them out in 30 minutes, but, I forgot. I took them out the next morning and put them together. I never expected it to work, but I came back to see the worker grooming the queen.

 

It's kind of hard to see the callow, but here are some pictures. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by AnthonyP163, May 1 2020 - 2:26 PM.

[T.C.]

Even at one worker, it might not work because it needs a larger "host" force.

[AnthonyP163]

Even at one worker, it might not work because it needs a larger "host" force.

Shouldn't be a problem, the colony where this came from has about 15 more pupae, and I can definitely "donate" some from the other colony.

[AnthonyP163]

3/27/18

 

I added 4 more pupae for the worker to open, so she will have 5 host workers.

[AntsMaryland]

Parasitic Lasius queens seem so neat!

 

I am planning/hoping to catch some this August!

 

Keep us updated!

 

Wish you luck!!!

-AntsMaryland

[noebl1]

Parasitic Lasius queens seem so neat!

 

I am planning/hoping to catch some this August!

 

Keep us updated!

 

Wish you luck!!!

-AntsMaryland

 

 

No need to wait until August, once it starts warming up usually parasitic Lasius queens are all over the place trying to find colonies for several weeks (often from May thru July here I've observed).  I find it easier to find them in the Spring scurrying around then during the Fall flights.

[AntsMaryland]

 

Parasitic Lasius queens seem so neat!

 

I am planning/hoping to catch some this August!

 

Keep us updated!

 

Wish you luck!!!

-AntsMaryland

 

 

No need to wait until August, once it starts warming up usually parasitic Lasius queens are all over the place trying to find colonies for several weeks (often from May thru July here I've observed).  I find it easier to find them in the Spring scurrying around then during the Fall flights.

 

Hmm... I'll start looking.

 

Can't wait to find some! (hopefully!)

[noebl1]

 

 

Hmm... I'll start looking.

Can't wait to find some! (hopefully!)

 

 

I'd be really surprised if you don't find any.  I see them (as early as April here in MA), sometimes even carried in from potted plants that were outside during the summer.  There are some days during the Spring where they are literally *everywhere*, which is pretty disappointing when you are not looking for them.

[AntsMaryland]

 

 

 

Hmm... I'll start looking.

Can't wait to find some! (hopefully!)

 

 

I'd be really surprised if you don't find any.  I see them (as early as April here in MA), sometimes even carried in from potted plants that were outside during the summer.  There are some days during the Spring where they are literally *everywhere*, which is pretty disappointing when you are not looking for them.

 

Thanks. I have some potted plants in my backyard. I'll make sure to start checking. Especially on warm days.

[antnest8]

hope this works out

[AnthonyP163]

 

 

 

 

Hmm... I'll start looking.

Can't wait to find some! (hopefully!)

 

 

I'd be really surprised if you don't find any.  I see them (as early as April here in MA), sometimes even carried in from potted plants that were outside during the summer.  There are some days during the Spring where they are literally *everywhere*, which is pretty disappointing when you are not looking for them.

 

Thanks. I have some potted plants in my backyard. I'll make sure to start checking. Especially on warm days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmm... I'll start looking.

Can't wait to find some! (hopefully!)

 

 

I'd be really surprised if you don't find any.  I see them (as early as April here in MA), sometimes even carried in from potted plants that were outside during the summer.  There are some days during the Spring where they are literally *everywhere*, which is pretty disappointing when you are not looking for them.

 

Yes, as I mentioned, this queen was found wandering the leaf litter just a few weeks ago in search of a nest.

[AnthonyP163]

There are now 3 host workers.

[T.C.]

There are now 3 host workers.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

No but seriously, lets see some images.

Edited by T.C., March 29 2018 - 8:38 AM.

[AnthonyP163]

 

There are now 3 host workers.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

No but seriously, lets see some images.

 

Alrighty, haha. I'll get some pics as soon as I am able to.

[EthanNgo678]

good luck!

[AnthonyP163]

1 host worker died, and another came to keep it at 3 host workers. there is 1 more host pupa and I think they'll open it soon.

[AnthonyP163]

There are now four host workers. I fed them a drop of honey and a cricket leg, hopefully, the queen will lay eggs soon.

[AnthonyP163]

5-19-18 

 

This queen laid an egg, and the next day I found her shredded to pieces. I have a different colony now with 3 host workers, hoping they lay soon.

[antnest8]

wow that was very anti-climatic 

[AnthonyP163]

6-10-18

 

The colony with 3 host workers has not laid any eggs, I gave them three more pupae from a  Lasius alienus  queen.