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

L. Alienus nanitics during "hibernation"


  • Please log in to reply
3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline noebl1 - Posted November 18 2016 - 12:58 PM

noebl1

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,133 posts
  • LocationNorthern Massachusetts

I captured a bunch of L. Alienus, L. Neoniger and L. Flavius queens this season.  One of the L. Alienus queens I collected this summer (caught 7/22/16) I noticed when checking up on her this Fall, she had a small pile of eggs.  I put them down into the basement last month, but taking longer than I thought for the basement temperature to drop (it's sitting around 61), so my planned hibernation isn't going so well.  On checking on them last night, I noticed this one L. Alienus had two recently eclosed nanitics (within the last 2 weeks), and looks like a few more that are pretty close to eclosing.

 

I've got a wine chiller coming in early next week.  However what do I do about these that recently eclosed?  Should I just make sure they have water, put them in the chiller as I planned?  If this was the Spring, I'd look at giving them some food, but obviously I'm a bit off here...  :)

 

Thanks!



#2 Offline Loops117 - Posted November 18 2016 - 1:04 PM

Loops117

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 802 posts
  • LocationSouth Lyon, Michigan

I could be wrong, but you may want to wait until they all hatch? Hibernation isn't easy on eggs.



#3 Offline MichiganAnts - Posted November 18 2016 - 7:10 PM

MichiganAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 331 posts
  • LocationMichigan

if the queens have eclosing larva, don't hibernate until they are all hatched


Owner of MichiganAnts, a YouTube Channel dedicated to all my Michigan colonies found and raise in my backyard

https://www.youtube.com/MichiganAnts

https://twitter.com/MichiganAnts

https://www.facebook.com/MichiganAnts/

 

Keeper of:

 

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus

 

Camponotus Noveboracensis

 

Tetramorium


#4 Offline noebl1 - Posted November 18 2016 - 7:18 PM

noebl1

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,133 posts
  • LocationNorthern Massachusetts

Thanks guys, I'll hold this one out for a bit longer before move to the cooler.  I assume I should feed them as well so they can stock up a bit for hibernation (even if a bit delayed.)






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users