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highered: Messor barbarus (30. Jun 2008 15:26)

My queen recently had her first 5 new workers and they are about the same size and shape as Lasius niger workers but they hardly move and don't do anything but are alive (barely). My queen is moving about fine and has laid more eggs. Can anyone help please? Thanks. They are in their test tube with it covered and I check on them about twice a week.

Felix: (30. Jun 2008 15:33)

My Messors don't move around much, too. That's normal. The first workers don't want to risk their lives because of the small colony size. So if they're not hungry or something, they'll just sit around and wait for the colony to grow. ;) :D

Felix

JimmyVe: (30. Jun 2008 17:48)

Workers from small colonies only go out at night to feed, they feel much saver. Also such a small colony don't need much food. Don't worry as long as they are alive they will do just fine.

You need much patient with ants, once they colony gets bigger you will have you hands full. ;)

gabranth: (30. Jun 2008 18:25)

they will be like that for a while once her next batch of eggs hatch they should become more active

kashmir79: (2. Jul 2008 22:36)

all ants are like that especially first generations. don't worry :D

SteveUK28: (3. Jul 2008 09:40)

I got a quick question, My barbarus, have been quite slow at developing. I did at one stage have around 6 workers but a few have died off i think i only have like 2 or 3 at the most now. Will they still come out and get food for the queen so she can produce more, only asking as there dont seem to be any eggs there at all atm. Im kinda worried about her :(

JimmyVe: (7. Jul 2008 15:23)

Are they still in there tube Steve ? Make sure the nest has a dry and wet area, give them some small bugs and maybe a little bit of seeds. If possible make sure the temperature stays at 28°c. At that temperature the brood will develop faster.