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damondeionno: M. barbarus and P. pallidula hibernation (31. Okt 2008 14:31)

Hi all. I have a small colony of each. Initially the colonies shrunk quite a bit, but now they are doing well with lots of brood and new workers emerging.

I know that it is about the time for putting them into hibernation, but I don't want to lose the brood that is currently developing. Both colonies have reasonable egg clusters as well as larvae at all stages and pupae.

Can anyone advise on whether I should hold on? What's the minimum hibernation time? Should I just put them in to hibernation and hope the brood are ok?

Thanks

The_Paranoid: Re: M. barbarus and P. pallidula hibernation (31. Okt 2008 14:57)

Pheidole pallidula will be fine without hibernation, but if you want you can hibernate.
Putting the Messor barbarus in hibernation in mid november should be fine. Then they should be at 10°C to 15°C for about 3 months. Wouldn't care about the brood too much. As long as it isn't below 10°C brood should be ok.

damondeionno: Re: M. barbarus and P. pallidula hibernation (31. Okt 2008 15:01)

Thanks for that advice. I kept pallidula before and didn't hibernate them, it's just that I keep reading that the queen needs it. I'll take your word for it. I don't want the colony to get absolutely huge anyway.

I will hold on a bit with the Messor.