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Pale ants


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3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline ant man - Posted July 17 2015 - 3:37 PM

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   Hi,  in my formicarium I noticed some of my ants are much paler than the others and have longer antenna.  I would like to know what/why this is and if I should do anything about it.  My species is formica fusca.  please reply thanks!



#2 Offline Alza - Posted July 17 2015 - 3:40 PM

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Newly born ants are light in color, and darken over time.



#3 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted July 17 2015 - 5:18 PM

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Yes, as Alza said, when workers eclose from pupae their exoskeleton is still relatively soft and light for a few days but after a few days it till harden and turn into the normal dark color.



#4 Offline drtrmiller - Posted July 17 2015 - 7:03 PM

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The technical term for this phenomena that occurs in all newly molted insects is scleritization (learn more). 


Edited by drtrmiller, July 17 2015 - 7:09 PM.



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