9 replies to this topic

[ForestDragon]

I just caught 2 queens of the social parasite Aphaenogaster tennesseensis any help would be appreciated i have some few questions that need answering

1. does she require workers or can just brood work, 
2. do the host workers need to be a specific species or would just normal aphaenogaster brood work

3. do I need to overwinter her before I give host workers/brood or should I do it now

 

Much obliged,

Forest
 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I wouldn't try anything other than fulva/rudis/picea complex members. Just find whatever's close.

[TennesseeAnts]

I use A. rudis workers. Never any brood tho.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Don't you have to use callow workers? Or do you let the queen kill one to get its scent and then put her with the others?

[TennesseeAnts]

Nope. Neither. My queens all accept live, fully hardened workers.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Cool. So if I ever catch an Aphaenogaster tennesseensis queen my frantic tour of Wisconsin will be a lot simpler if I can just grab some workers and put em' in with her.

[TennesseeAnts]

Make sure you chill the workers for a few minutes tho.

[Acutus]

Very Very jealous!!! Good luck with them!!

[ForestDragon]

So I can get workers? what is the chances of the queen getting injured in that?

[TennesseeAnts]

So I can get workers? what is the chances of the queen getting injured in that?

Zero in my experience. I've founded 5 queens all with live workers, and the queens were never attacked.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, September 4 2019 - 11:42 AM.