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Pogonomyrmex Colony Killing Larvae


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#1 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted January 24 2019 - 6:54 PM

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Last season I caught some Pogonomyrmex subdentatus queens, which now have workers. My largest colony, with ~15 workers, is starting to consume larvae for no apparent reason.

They have plenty of seeds and I do see some surviving larvae eating them. There are loads of smaller larvae, but once they get to the pre pupa stage they are almost all eaten.

They are kept in a dirt setup with a humidity gradient and at 90-94F. I check on them 1-2 times a day for 1-2 mins. I will start reducing this time to once every few days now.

Any advice on how to fix this would be appreciated.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 24 2019 - 7:34 PM.

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#2 Offline sirjordanncurtis - Posted January 24 2019 - 7:13 PM

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Are the larvae being completely eaten by the workers, or is it that the larvae are getting killed, and then eaten as a result of this later on? 
 



#3 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted January 24 2019 - 7:34 PM

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Are the larvae being completely eaten by the workers, or is it that the larvae are getting killed, and then eaten as a result of this later on?


The workers are eating the larvae while they seem to be alive.

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#4 Offline Rstheant - Posted January 25 2019 - 4:40 PM

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Have you tried feeding different proteins, such as mealworms and crickets? Maybe the workers want some fresh meat instead.

#5 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted January 25 2019 - 5:04 PM

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Have you tried feeding different proteins, such as mealworms and crickets? Maybe the workers want some fresh meat instead.


Yeah, but they seem to like seeds more. Also, I don't see why this would be making the workers kill the larvae, workers don't need protein. They need the protein FOR the larvae.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 25 2019 - 5:05 PM.

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#6 Offline CoolColJ - Posted January 25 2019 - 5:15 PM

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population control?

Killing larvae to feed larvae - :thinking:


Edited by CoolColJ, January 25 2019 - 5:16 PM.

Current ant colonies -
1) Opisthopsis Rufithorax (strobe ant), Melophorus sp2. black and orange, Pheidole species, Pheidole antipodum
Journal = http://www.formicult...ra-iridomyrmex/

Heterotermes cf brevicatena termite pet/feeder journal = http://www.formicult...feeder-journal/


#7 Offline Rstheant - Posted January 25 2019 - 5:21 PM

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I don’t know? Maybe ask nurbs, drew or FSTP, the Pogonomyrmex kings?

#8 Offline anttics - Posted January 26 2019 - 9:20 AM

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This has happen in some.of my colonies. When humidity was too low. They will eat all larva once it got to a certain size. I think they are defective due to low humidity. The workers seem to notice this defects, and kills the larva. I have been where you are it sucks. Make sure humidity is at 80 to 100 %. Make sure yoy explain the setup they are in.

Edited by anttics, January 26 2019 - 9:22 AM.


#9 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted January 26 2019 - 9:42 AM

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This has happen in some.of my colonies. When humidity was too low. They will eat all larva once it got to a certain size. I think they are defective due to low humidity. The workers seem to notice this defects, and kills the larva. I have been where you are it sucks. Make sure humidity is at 80 to 100 %. Make sure yoy explain the setup they are in.


I hadn't thought of this, but maybe you are right! I have hydrated their setup. They have loads of smaller brood, so hopefully the colony can recover.

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#10 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted January 30 2019 - 4:49 PM

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Despite increasing the humidity they continue to raise the larvae up to pre pupa or pupa and kill them. I think it might be due to stress. I am now going to leave their nest alone.

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