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Lasius Niger Question


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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Carl - Posted May 26 2015 - 1:48 AM

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I caught a Lasius Niger (I think) queen roughly last July (UK). I found her on the floor without wings. She has laid eggs since then, and I also put her in hibernation. But none of her eggs are developing. She always has quite a large pile of eggs. I've looked under a microscope and they never even reach larvae. Does this mean she is infertile?



#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted May 26 2015 - 2:05 AM

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While the cause can not be determined, it is clear you probably have a dud or at least atypical queen.  

 

A typical queen caught 11 months ago will have already reared several generations of workers by now.

 

It is advised to release her and to find or obtain a new one.


Edited by drtrmiller, May 26 2015 - 2:06 AM.



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#3 Offline Trailandstreet - Posted May 26 2015 - 3:32 AM

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It's possible, that the queen can be injured. I already had one, that was caught by three Formica workers, she had eggs but could not develop them to workers.

Do you have photos from the ant?


:hi: Franz

if you find any mistakes, it's my autocorrection. it doesn't speak english.


#4 Offline Carl - Posted May 26 2015 - 6:35 AM

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Thanks for your replies. I don't have pictures, but I've looked at her under a microscope and she seems OK externally.



#5 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted May 26 2015 - 12:59 PM

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I've had this happen to several Lasius sp queens but this doesn't mean she is not fertile.

I placed a queen in a test tube and she laid a pile of eggs but after 2 months the had still not developed then I placed her in a ant farm formicarium were she dug her founding chamber and successfully raised her first workers.


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#6 Offline Trailandstreet - Posted May 29 2015 - 4:17 AM

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Some ants have their own head :thinking:


:hi: Franz

if you find any mistakes, it's my autocorrection. it doesn't speak english.





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