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Catualda: Formica Sanguinea , doubts (31. Jul 2008 02:09)

Greetings,
I was wondering if a colony of formica sanguinea with at least 10 workers is viable and sustainable by itself without slave colonies.

As i have read the main factor in "slave" taking and new nests is the fact that the queen is unable to tend to the offspring...or am i wrong in the information i have gathered and the formica sanguinea "workers" being so specialized are also unable to tend to their eggs and need the "slaves" to do that for them?

thanks in advance.

gabranth: (31. Jul 2008 05:47)

formica sanguinea are fine without slaves its Polyergus rufescens who can't survive without them

JimmyVe: (31. Jul 2008 21:44)

Yes they will do just fine, they need them to start the colony like you read. It would harm them to give them slaves but they should do just fine without them.