ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Uncletommy]

i accidentally opened up a massive (and when i say masssive i mean 3 metres square) lasius niger nest when replacing some paving slabs outside and there were about 500 cocoons in a chamber, i took about 40 cocoons to boost my numbers. Some of the cocoons hatched today and winged males are emerging.....will these pose a problem at all to my queen?

[miszt]

No, but they will be a drain on the resources of your colony

3 Meters is not very big for a wild Lasius niger colony, they often span 15m+ with many satilite nests

[highered]

Small white cocoons the size of workers contain the workers. Slightly or alot bigger darker more browny coccoons contain either a winged male or winged female. When these cocoons are put together it is easy to tell the difference.

[marc.tulley]

yeah my male rubra just sit around doing didly squat all day.
occationally they scramble over workers , like squirm around on one for a second then run after and do the same to another....
whats that all about?
he horny?

[Uncletommy]

some interesting behaviour. The workers are killing all the winged males. dragging them out of the nest and taking their wings. All the workers are kept. Oh and that was a big nest, 3 metres of eggs and queens is a lot

[JimmyVe]

@ marc: No probably he is just begging for food.

@ uncletommy: yes they will kill the males, they are not strong enough to keep them well fed so they are better of without them.

[marc.tulley]

you are a wise one jimmy , thanks mate