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When your colony produces alates


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13 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Acutus - Posted April 27 2019 - 6:29 PM

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What the hell do you do??? I think I spelled that right but if you captive colony produces all these male and female ants in captivity what do you do when they do their Nuptial?


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Billy

 

Currently keeping:

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Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea


#2 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted April 27 2019 - 6:30 PM

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You can leave their formicarium outside in a shaded area and let them fly away when they decide they're ready.


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#3 Offline Acutus - Posted April 27 2019 - 7:25 PM

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but what about the rest of your colony?


Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

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#4 Offline gcsnelling - Posted April 28 2019 - 3:58 AM

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You can leave their formicarium outside in a shaded area and let them fly away when they decide they're ready.

And if the species is not native to the area?



#5 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted April 28 2019 - 5:41 AM

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My friend in Washington is taking care of my huge Formica pacifica colony. They have over 3000 workers and most of their larvae are alates. When they have their flight, he is going to release the alates.

#6 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted April 28 2019 - 10:21 AM

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What the hell do you do??? I think I spelled that right but if you captive colony produces all these male and female ants in captivity what do you do when they do their Nuptial?

As others suggested, you could leave it outside without the lid on. To prevent escapes, make sure the barrier is strong before leaving it open. Or you could just keep them inside and the alates will eventually die off.

#7 Offline drtrmiller - Posted April 28 2019 - 11:18 AM

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They may also attempt to fly in their foraging area or enclosure if conditions permit.


Edited by drtrmiller, April 28 2019 - 11:23 AM.

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#8 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted April 28 2019 - 11:23 AM

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If they fly in captivity, the females might drop their wings and act as HUGE workers.
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#9 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted April 28 2019 - 12:01 PM

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If they fly in captivity, the females might drop their wings and act as HUGE workers.

that would be really cool


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#10 Offline Acutus - Posted April 28 2019 - 2:30 PM

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If they fly in captivity, the females might drop their wings and act as HUGE workers.

 

 

 

If they fly in captivity, the females might drop their wings and act as HUGE workers.

that would be really cool

 

 

Might be cool at first but then how would you know which queen is the queen! LOL :)

 

So if this would happen they can fly out of my outworld if I have it outside? that might be challenging but I can see it being manageable. :)


Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea


#11 Offline Mdrogun - Posted April 28 2019 - 3:00 PM

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I do not recommend releasing your alates, even if they are a native species. We don't know what our ants have come into contact with as a result of being in captivity and how it will affect wild populations.


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#12 Offline Acutus - Posted April 28 2019 - 4:24 PM

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I do not recommend releasing your alates, even if they are a native species. We don't know what our ants have come into contact with as a result of being in captivity and how it will affect wild populations.

 

Ok I can see the point in that but what happens if I keep them? I mean it's ok right? 


Edited by Acutus, April 28 2019 - 4:30 PM.

Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea


#13 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted April 28 2019 - 4:39 PM

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Yeah, they'll be fine

#14 Offline Acutus - Posted April 28 2019 - 4:44 PM

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Yeah, they'll be fine

Cool! that's what I needed to know! Thank you! With never having done this before I wasn't sure.


Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea





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