Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • 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

First bumblebee queens of the year

Started By ANTdrew , Mar 14 2020 7:01 AM

  • Please log in to reply
83 replies to this topic

#81 Offline DRpepper - Posted April 17 2023 - 5:26 AM

DRpepper

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 83 posts

The tricky part is getting fresh bee pollen to feed the queen before her workers start foraging. That’s why I’ve never tried it. I don’t have time to visit 400 flowers a day.

you could buy pollen from a beekeeper. 


#82 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 27 2025 - 10:20 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 10,484 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I spotted the first Bombus bimaculatus queen in my yard! I saw my first one of the year last week outside the school I work at.

D0446-B30-B346-48-FF-B367-3310-D31-FADEF
BF76735-D-DA1-F-4-B0-E-A2-C1-BB27275-B88
  • rptraut, Ernteameise and MyrmecologyMaven like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#83 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted March 27 2025 - 5:45 PM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 567 posts
  • LocationMontreal, CA

How can you tell the queens apart? Are they just bulkier? I know that the queens first hibernate and then start a nest, but do the workers survive winter too?


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, 35-40 workers + maybe eggs                                                                       *New* 2x Camponotus nova, one has only larva

1x Crematogaster cerasi, All workers is ded   :facepalm:*extreme internal screaming*                        1x Myrmica ruba sp around 10 workers + pupa

*New* 1x Temnothorax curvispinosus, 101 or something worker + 3 or 4 royal mom ants + pile of white ant worms

 

*As you watch your ants march, remember that every thing begins with a small step and continued by diligence and shared dreams* -A.T (which is Me)

 

Sadly due to unforeseen consequences, I will soon be giving away my colonies (I will miss them though  :*( )

#84 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 28 2025 - 10:34 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 10,484 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Workers die in the winter. The only bumblebees one would see this time of year are queens. They are also much bulkier.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.
Back to General


0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users