ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Varban]

I know i havent posted in a while but that's because nothing has happened really. Queen is still alive thankfully! Eggs havent hatched and she hasn't eaten any i think.

[JimmyVe]

I'm sorry i can't translate it.

She is still alive, that a good sine i hope it works out.

[Varban]

She is still alive there are still eggs! There seems to be hope left! One of the eggs or whatever it is its a bit larger has a brownish oranga colour that normal?

[JimmyVe]

its becoming a larva. that's a good sine ! if the first workers come out (2 a 3 weeks from now - larva till ant) they take care of the queen.

[Varban]

i cant wait on those first workers ....

[JimmyVe]

ants take there time.

[Varban]

the brown thing turned to be an old mosquito i put in the test tube ...
i added some more dead bugs but she shoved them away, i assume she doesnt want meat oh well.
Back ot waiting ...

[JimmyVe]

normally they don't eat till the first workers come out. i captured L. niger queens about 2 weeks ago. the first one lay eggs the day after. I'm expected larva next week and then another 2-3 weeks till the first workers come out. (if everything is o.k.)
This queen didn't eat anything, but you have to make sure she gets water.

If the first workers come out i put them in a small formicarium.

Good luck

[damondeionno]

Varban

Have read about your whole experience with queens. I haven't raised any Messor queens, but I have started up plenty of colonies in the past with newly mated queens.

I think you need to be a bit more patient. The only regular task you need to complete is to make sure that humidity is maintained in her chamber. I actually prefer test tubes (or tic tac) boxes for single queens. Just stuff one end with tissue or cotton wool and keep it damp. Inside the tube should be dry though. It's only the humidity that matters. Try and leave a small gap for air (maybe insert a capillary tube or something down the side of the tissue.

Basically you need to leave her alone in the dark as much as possible. I have never seen a queen eat any sort of insect or fruit food. The only thing they will occasionally eat is sugarwater, but be careful. Even if she eats it, she will only eat the tiniest amount and if it's left behind it might foul her nest. You really must try not to disturb her. She stays mostly still to conserve her energy. If you keep moving her about and opening up her nest, she will use more resources and is more likely to starve.

Don't forget that many queens in temperate climates overwinter with their brood and it is not until the spring after the summer that they flew that the first workers emerge. I'm sorry to say it but the larval stage can take a long time. It's only when you get a pupae or two that you will be nearly there.

Good luck.

[Varban]

Hey damondeionno

Thanks for the info. The water in the test tube leaked so I moved her into a small dish. In there out of tinfoil I made a little chamber. I put her and the eggs there. She quickly mooved inside the chamber and seems pretty happy there. Outside the chamber I have gel water and sugarwater. She does come out once in a while.
Other than there is nothing going on so I haven't posted much.
I wish patience was in my skills list ...

[JimmyVe]

as long as she is alive its a good sine The queens i captured last mound have larva already, so i expect little workers soon.

BTW: if you looking to translate something (from Germans to English) try it at this site.
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[Varban]

Lucky you 2 months later:P i am still at the egg stage

[JimmyVe]

are there still no larva ?

[maxfly]

@varban
you must listens the very right advice of Damon you must little leave in peace the queen, I think that you disturb the Queen too much and i think that your first queen she was died for stress caused from your excessive disturbance.
Leave it in peace if yuo dont want that this one also dies.

hope this help

--
Max

[mpir]

Verban... it's really nice to see that you've done some homework before you got the ants. That might saved Salma I. Nevertheless... you are getting far too much involved with HRM. For new founding queens it is best to just leave them in test tube. Wrap it in some red foil if you want to observe them. It is important that the queen is in dark and moist place. And test tube is perfect for this. Place the test tube in formicarium and leave it there. Don't worry if the queen will seal the entrance and don't worry if the queen will not eat. Queens, when born, are very well feed for a long time and when they leave the nest for mating... they have lots of food reserves in them. Enought to raise the first generation of workers who then feed the queen. They also get lots of energy from unused flying musles.
It is very unlikely that the ants will make a nest next to the glass. They prefer dark. If you'd like to observe ants at all time you should consider another type of formicarium (e.g.:Ytong).

Anyway, good luck with your Messors... they are very nice and interesting ants.