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chrisb: New Messor barbarus Queen Arrived (23. Jun 2012 15:32)

Hello,

I have just received my first new queen today. I have her in the test tube in a nice dark warm place. My question is do I leave the end cotton bung in place and only remove it when I offer her some food? I've done a lot of reading about Messor b arbarus but couldn't find the answer to this question.

I've read I should leave her alone for a fair few days to settle down, but the test tub doesn't have much water left in it am I ok to offer a new test tube with more water in now or should I wait?

Any advice is more than welcome.

Thank you
Chris "new ant father!"

Andie: Re: New Messor Barbarus Queen Arrived (23. Jun 2012 15:47)

Hi Chris, do you only have the queen with no brood ? if so then you can leave the cotton wool in the end until she has some workers. She dosen't need feeding and can survive for many months on her own reserves.The workers will look after her when they eventually arrive. You could try to join another test tube to the end but the chances are she will stay where she is until she wants to move.

chrisb: Re: New Messor barbarus Queen Arrived (23. Jun 2012 16:17)

Hi Andie,

Thanks for your reply. Yes she is all alone at the moment, I bought just a queen to see If I could take her all the way to being a full on mother of many!

Thank you for your advice, I'll just leave her alone for now. I think the water will last for a few more days then maybe I will have to try and get more in or move her to another one.

It's all very exciting.....

Thanks again
Chris