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Hibernate Termites?


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#1 Offline Skwiggledork - Posted November 16 2018 - 7:22 AM

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I caught what I believe are a king and queen Eastern subterranean termites(Reticulitermes flavipes) back in July/August. I was breaking some wood up looking for ants and I saw them tandem running away, so I grabbed them. I decided to put them in a jar full of dirt and pieces of the wood I caught them from and while they are both still alive and together, they haven't had any babies(or eggs as far as I can tell) yet. I'm keeping them moist and only checking on them once a week or less. Should I be hibernating them/Do they wait till after hibernation to start laying? Also I saw a post a few days ago about "homosexual termites" is there a way to figure out if I truly have a king and queen? They look pretty similar, but I was told newly mated reproductive look the same.



#2 Offline LC3 - Posted November 16 2018 - 11:41 AM

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There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that points to Reticulitermes flavipes requiring hibernation. They seem to just retreat from the cold and their metabolism slows (probably as a result from the cold). It is not well known how the R. flavipes populations up north deal with the cold.

Termites can be sexed by the last few bottom abdominal plates (sternites). Males have smaller evenly spaced plates while females have larger plates.





This paper might be of use to you:
https://academic.oup...30/2/166/447402
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#3 Offline Skwiggledork - Posted November 17 2018 - 6:17 AM

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Sorry for the poorly focused pictures, but I've never tried to take a ventral macro photo. I may be hoping but I think I have a pair. First picture being female and second being male.

QZ0SltA.jpg

 

CWrsJz7.jpg

 

If they are a pair, how long until I can expect young? I was told they grow slower than Camponotus, but the queen I caught more recently had over a dozen workers before I put her away for hibernation.


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#4 Offline Nare - Posted November 17 2018 - 10:17 AM

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It looks like they are a pair - I'm jellous. I'm keeping the same species, but raising secondary reproductives from workers is taking ages.

 

Just like queen ants, I assume some pairs aren't as fertile as others, or perhaps this pair had brood when you captured them, which was lost - considering they eat just wood, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them a while to get enough nutrients to produce more eggs. Patience is key.

 

I don't think you'll see any egg production during the winter - I've heard that this species takes a break from laying eggs at this time. They should pick up egg production again in the spring.

 

If you've already removed them form the jar, why not put them in a toilet paper test tube setup? They've been working great for my termites, and it'd ensure that your termites are eating - they'd be surrounded by food. If you're interested, I've outlined the process in my guide. I'm sure you can also find some videos online.


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#5 Offline Skwiggledork - Posted November 17 2018 - 1:28 PM

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I need to use up a roll first then I'll try it out. :lol: :lol:






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