K Kris: (3. Aug 2007 12:59)

@Sam

Yes, the females shed their wings after mating. In some instances though even unfertilized queens shed their wings. So if you find a dealate (wingless; alate = wingright, with wings) queen, chances that she mated, and therewith can produce viable offspring, are high.

Sam: (3. Aug 2007 15:56)

Nice one K Kris, fingers crossed then. I've popped her in an unused Urine sample pot (from doc's) as I didn't have a test tube. Ive got a cotton wool water plug & cotton wool end plug, but no honey/sugar & its covered up. Just have to see if she starts laying. :D

K Kris: (3. Aug 2007 16:34)

Fingers crossed Sam! You probably don't need to feed her at all, but try to get a test-tube real soon. Establishing a colony in an (albeit unused) urine sample pot won't do much good. Chances for success are considerably lowered.

Sam: (4. Aug 2007 08:17)

I know they aren't perfect but it will have to do until I get some proper test tubes, they are only a little wider than the test tubes 4 or 5mm bigger. They would make good collection containers as they have a screw on lid & label for place & time of capture. :D

JimmyVe: (4. Aug 2007 17:05)

They are fine for a short while, don't forget to put some moist cotton in it. (ore water/cotton/queen/lid)

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