ANTSTORE World of Ants

[jackal]

Today is arrived the Messor barbarus’s queen!!!
I’m very happy.Today start my adventure in ant’s world.
Before I have covered with adhesive red paper the test-tube and than I put the test-tube on the top of the ytong(so the queen can find easyer the way to the nest).
In the photos you can see the first photos of the queen and you can also see the flebo that I use for maintaining the damp in the nest.
If you have some suggestions to give me...

[JimmyVe]

The queen came out of the tube ? Isn't she in hibernation yet ?
Did she already moved to the Y-tong.
Good luck with your queen.

[jackal]

The queen came out of the tube ? Isn't she in hibernation yet ?
Did she already moved to the Y-tong.
Good luck with your queen.

I don't know if she is in hibernation yet;I know she go out of the test-tube when I open it.
After opening the test tube I put a teaspoon of loam nearly.Some minutes ago I have seen that the queen has brought some of it in the test-tube.Than she start to bit the white cotton trying to put it out.
Now she is still in the test-tube.
Thank You to You for Your interest

[mpir]

Was there any brood with the queen?

[jackal]

Was there any brood with the queen?

No,ther's only the queen

[mpir]

Then my advice to you would be to put her into hibernation as soon as possible.

I got this off internet:
This species is hibernating before it starts to lay egg. It is appropriate to place the queen in a test tube with a water reserve, with maybe 2-3 seeds of small size, mixes for canarie for example, that she will be able to consume during this period. It should be placed in a room or the temperature will oscillate between 12 and 15°C until end of March.

Good luck

[JimmyVe]

Indeed. this is correct.

She was probably taking the sand in to smaller the entrance of the tube, but if you put her in a temperature from about 10°c she will go in hibernation.

[jackal]

Then my advice to you would be to put her into hibernation as soon as possible.

I got this off internet:
This species is hibernating before it starts to lay egg. It is appropriate to place the queen in a test tube with a water reserve, with maybe 2-3 seeds of small size, mixes for canarie for example, that she will be able to consume during this period. It should be placed in a room or the temperature will oscillate between 12 and 15°C until end of March.

Good luck

ok,now she is in the test tube,but the test tube is open.Would it be better if I close the test tube with little piece of white cotton?
About temperature,the tank is in a box,and therefore the temperature will gradually decrease.

[mpir]

I would close it. And I would make sure there is enough water in the test tube. And then I wouldn't disturbe it till first workers arrive. It is important that the queen is not disturbed till first workers arrive or she might abandon colony founding.

Good luck

[JimmyVe]

Maybe it is better ot close it, if there are workers you can leaf it open, but with only a queen you can close it. I do it to but once in a moth i open it to let fresh air in.

[jackal]

ok.I have put 3 seeds for canaries in the test tube,I closed it,I remove it from the tank and than I put it in a calm shelf with very little light.
Now I have to wait March looking once a month water level a open the test tube to change air.
Thanks to all for Your useful suggestions

[JimmyVe]

No problem , if you to all that everything is going to be fine (unless the queen is not strong enough to start a colony, but that you never no for sure until there are workers)
Good luck waiting.