3 replies to this topic

[Silq]

I recently ordered a bunch of p. californicus queens since there was a sale. The seller informed me that there will be 5 queens per test tube and I inquired how that would be possible, if the colony accepts multiple queens? From his explanation, the queens brood together and once all the larva grow into workers, the workers kill off the other queens until 1 is left. I researched into this and found two articles explaining the concept: https://www.livescie...ain-throne.html & https://www.clarkspe...new-queen-ants/

 

Does anyone have experience with this? I was thinking, would it possible to remove some of the queens after the larva grow into workers? Could the queens survive? Could they reproduce again on their own to start their own colony? I would think that the ants killing off the other queens would be a Darwinistic approach but some colonies have multiple queens so I don't know. 

Edited by Silq, July 25 2019 - 2:01 PM.

[AntsDakota]

You could also separate them as soon as they arrive.

[BADANT]

I separated mine into individual test tubes the night I got them.


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[Silq]

My test tubes came in and I was able 3D print a bunch of expandable formicariums. I had printed these: https://www.thingive...m/thing:2377968 and have a few of these in two formicariums and all the others in their own individual test tubes. I had them on my desk but now I placed all of the formicariums and test tubes underneath my desk in a box wrapped by a towel so they will all stay in complete darkness and insulated from the air conditioner because it has been super hot in SoCal but my AC is near my desk.. I crushed some bird seeds I just bought and gave all of them some since they are semi-claustral. I will try to resist looking at them as people say to avoid stressing them out. I did leave 3 test tubes out on my desk but covered by a rag. These will get some light through the rag but very little. I will see if there are any major differences in the coming weeks.