14 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

I need to know what Formica spp. Formica obscuripes parasitize. I have two queens that won't accept F. pacifica or F. lasioides pupae!!! 

 

 

 

[T.C.]

Please be more specific in your title. They are social parasites of Formica fusca. So I'm not surprised they wouldn't accept other species.

[TennesseeAnts]

But Formica pacifica are members of the Formica fusca group. That is why I am confused about why they didn't accept the F. pacifica pupae. Maybe my ID on them is wrong. Maybe they are not Formica pacifica.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 25 2018 - 11:07 AM.

[T.C.]

Ok, but Formica pacifica is not  Formica fusca.

[TennesseeAnts]

I read on antwiki that any F. fusca group sp. would work. Now my queens are going to die because i have no host.  Actually, I found a colony of Formica fusca on GAN! Maybe I am not doomed to fail after all!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 25 2018 - 12:35 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

http://www.formicult...tes/#entry37852

You have to actually give the lasius queens workers. The queen are not capable of caring for any type of brood before they receive workers. They can not cut open pupae or feed larvae on their own.

Edit: Never mind, I'm an idiot

Edited by sirjordanncurtis, April 25 2018 - 6:08 PM.

[Derpy]

http://www.formicult...tes/#entry37852
You have to actually give the lasius queens workers. The queen are not capable of caring for any type of brood before they receive workers. They can not cut open pupae or feed larvae on their own.

Ummmm. They are talking about Formica not Lasuis.

Edited by Derpy, April 25 2018 - 2:49 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I have four of these queens now. I gave all but one queen a Formica obscuripes worker and since they are sisters, they are getting along. Maybe, since the queen has her sisters, she will think they were budding and not need a host.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 25 2018 - 7:46 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

I have four of these queens now. I gave all but one queen a Formica obscuripes worker and since they are sisters, they are getting along. Maybe, since the queen has her sisters, she will think they were budding and not need a host.

Works for Drew's captive bred Pogonomyrmex. Try digging up a portion of a F. fusca nest and stealing some pupae for your queen.

[TennesseeAnts]

I can't find F. fusca.

[TennesseeAnts]

Ok, so I got some workers of the parent Formica obscuripes colony and gave them to my queens. Now a few days later, two of the "colonies" have eggs! The makeshift budding idea worked!     

[nurbs]

It shouldn't work, but have gotten parasitic Fomica to accept Lasius brood.

 

[TennesseeAnts]

It shouldn't work, but have gotten parasitic Fomica to accept Lasius brood.

 

Yeah, I have read your journal and have always wondered: How does that work?!

[nurbs]

 

It shouldn't work, but have gotten parasitic Fomica to accept Lasius brood.

 

Yeah, I have read your journal and have always wondered: How does that work?!

 

 

Heck if I know. Didn't even know they were lasius brood til they eclosed.

[TennesseeAnts]

I just got three more queens and nine workers! Four workers are minors, one median and four majors! They have settled in nicely. I put them all in one test tube.