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How long can a queen go without protein intake?

queen founding feeding care test tube

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline pkinatx - Posted December 13 2021 - 3:25 PM

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I have had a Camponotus queen in a test tube set up for about 9 months.  She has hatch her first batch of 5 workers and has some larva at the moment as well.  Is now the time to feed them a cricket or something else, or should I wait longer?  I have given the ants a bit of honey a few times in the past but never any protein.  How long does it take for a queen's reserve protein in her wings to run out typically?

 

Bonus: what is the best way to give protein to a queen in a test tube set up, as to avoid future mold?  

 

Thanks guys!  



#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 13 2021 - 3:49 PM

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Feed them protein and sugars asap.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline pkinatx - Posted December 13 2021 - 5:37 PM

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Ok will do.  Sugars are pretty easy as I just add some honey to the end of a cotton ball, but what about proteins?  I'm hesitant to put a cricket part in the tube because of mold.  Is this not an issue?  



#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 13 2021 - 6:14 PM

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Remove it when they finish. Starvation is worse than mold.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline antsriondel - Posted December 13 2021 - 6:22 PM

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yeah definitely :yes:



#6 Offline pkinatx - Posted December 14 2021 - 4:59 AM

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Ok buying meal worms today for sure, thank you!  As a rule of thumb, when do you start feeding your colony protein and not relying on the queen's reserves?  Right after her first workers arive?



#7 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted December 14 2021 - 6:37 AM

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Yes, the reserves are meant to get her through founding.
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#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 14 2021 - 2:07 PM

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I feed sugar and protein as soon as the first workers arrive.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline gs5248 - Posted December 19 2021 - 5:38 PM

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I would feed them some sugar first and then give them a few fruit flies or maybe a cricket leg or mealworm segment.







Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: queen, founding, feeding, care, test tube

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