Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Pre-hibernation, Myrmica sp./Solenopsis question


  • Please log in to reply
1 reply to this topic

#1 Offline CNewton - Posted October 17 2017 - 4:12 AM

CNewton

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 118 posts
  • LocationBatavia, NY

Western New York has been unseasonably cold, mid-high 70's most of the summer. I've been keeping all my test-tube queens outside in a partially enclosed porch in a cardboard box in a shaded corner. Our major flight was September 12. I counted ~10 species that flew, and I managed to catch a few different ones. Among the ones I found were Mymrica sp. (rubra?) and Solenopsis molesta.

 

I only kept 2 Mymrica as they both shed wings. They each reside in a retro-fitted Tupperware, within a test tube with a straw allowing them to exit. Both are alive. Neither has laid any eggs. Is this normal? It was a fairly late flight. This is similarly what is going on with the Solenopsis. I have 4 queens cohabitating in a much smaller tube, I figured they would be more comfortable due to their size. All queens shed wings, no queen has laid eggs.

 

The Lasius and Crematogaster queens I caught are all alive and not laying, as I was expecting. It seems pretty well documented that these will not be laying until spring. should I be concerned about the Myrmica and Solenopsis, or is it acceptable for them to wait too?

 

To all of my queens I gave a drop of sugar water this morning. The Crematogasters took the offering eagerly.



#2 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted October 17 2017 - 8:32 AM

MegaMyrmex

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 637 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, Maryland
Yeah all queens won't lay until winter's over

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

 





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users