thomie: Messor barbarus chance of survive? (10. Jan 2008 13:26)

Hello,

I just received my order, Messor b arbarus with 0-3 workers.
There are no eggs or workers with the queen.
Does Messor b arbarus lay eggs after a long period or something?
Needs the queen a winter rest or does messor barbarus lays eggs in summer?
Do i have to put food in the nest?
How much chance does my nest have to survive?

Gr,

Thomas

mvannunen: (10. Jan 2008 14:05)

Hey thomie,

I don't know the awnsers but i hope they survive and become a great colony...

cheers,

Mike

SteveUK28: (10. Jan 2008 16:34)

Hi Thomas i recieved the same sort of thing... I gave her some honey water which she has been drinking and i then put her in a dark warm place and left her be.. She now has 2 eggs that i could could.. So basicaly id suggest the same lines... Good Luck and Best Wishes.

JimmyVe: (10. Jan 2008 16:37)

I already send you a PM Thomie but i answer it here to, could be useful for other members. ;)

The queen is probably in hibernation so it is normal for her to be not active,
it also normal that there are no eggs, eggs don't survive hibernation, the queens stops laying eggs before she goes in hibernation.
It would be nice if there was some brood. (Larva ore cocoons)

Maybe it is best to wake her up. So she can start with laying eggs en build a colony.
I must say it is rather hard with this species to start with only a single queen. Good luck.

You could give here some food, it is a small chance she will take sugar water but you can try it. Also give here fruit fly's. If she don't accept them you can stop giving it but it is worth a try.

Give here plenty of rest, don't check on her to often, she needs rest. Check on her 2 ore 3 times a week. Just to see if she is doing okay.

Good luck.

thomie: (10. Jan 2008 16:52)

I'll give her some honey water and a few insects.
I'll hope it will work :) Shes at 15Celcius within a few days 20Celcuis and then normal temperature :) .
How did you gave the honey in a medicine pocket?? (with some paper so the don't drown or just a drop of honey water?
Another question: Is is it possible that a Messor Barbarus have more than 1 queen?
Thx for the replys

SteveUK28: (10. Jan 2008 16:55)

I used a pill pimple with a few drops in.. she loved it :) im keeping her around 22-25oC

thomie: (10. Jan 2008 17:04)

and no seeds?

SteveUK28: (10. Jan 2008 17:07)

nope.. the workers turn the seeds into bread for her.. so no point giving her them... lol
Remember queens are lazy gits.. egg laying machines..

thomie: (10. Jan 2008 17:11)

yeah ;)
Did you turn the temperature up slowly or just put her on 22oC?
I'm going to put her inside a shoe box with a heating element with an thermostat.
And with an little drop of honey water on the ground and a fruit fly.
She ain't gonna drown in a little bit of honeywater isn't she?

SteveUK28: (10. Jan 2008 17:39)

lol id keep her in the testtube if i was you..
I dont have a heater at all.. just normal room tempreture.. she seems happy enough.. However when she has workers and i do move her into a tank i will prob have a lamp on the tank..

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