22 replies to this topic

[MinigunL5]

I have queens, all with eggs, and I'm not 100% sure they are mated. How can I tell if they are?

Edited by MinigunL5, June 2 2020 - 4:28 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I often hear that fertile queens are more likely to have their eggs in a neat little pile, while unfertile queens will leave them lying around.

[MinigunL5]

I often hear that fertile queens are more likely to have their eggs in a neat little pile, while unfertile queens will leave them lying around.

What if its just one egg that is not in a pile? Also what would be a neat little pile?

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

There is no 100% guaranteed way to tell if a queen has mated, but you can look for signals. Did you find them with or without wings? Queens with their wings still attached have a lower chance of having mated but it doesn't mean they aren't fertile. When were the eggs laid? You should see development into larvae around 1-2 weeks depending on the species. Fertile queens also tend to clean the tips of their gasters quite often. 

 

What if its just one egg that is not in a pile? Also what would be a neat little pile?

A neat little pile is a bit self-explanatory. It means the eggs aren't scattered individually around the queen. If just one egg isn't in the pile it most likely means the queen laid it very recently and hasn't gotten the chance to move it to the main pile.

[TheMicroPlanet]

A pile would be if all the eggs were clumped closely together

[MinigunL5]

A pile would be if all the eggs were clumped closely together

What about when the eggs hatch? Will they even hatch?

[TheMicroPlanet]

Sometimes queens lay trophic eggs, which they eat before hatching. However, if an infertile queen lives long enough, her eggs will grow into males.

[ANTdrew]

Probably over 98% of queens are fertile unless they have some genetic deformity or something. What you should be asking is if the queens are mated.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I think that's what they meant... I'm guilty of using them as synonyms too

[MinigunL5]

I think that's what they meant... I'm guilty of using them as synonyms too

Oops, sorry

Probably over 98% of queens are fertile unless they have some genetic deformity or something. What you should be asking is if the queens are mated.

Ah ok, I meant mated then, not fertile

[Thunder_Birds]

I often hear that fertile queens are more likely to have their eggs in a neat little pile, while unfertile queens will leave them lying around.

Interesting....I did not know that

[NickAnter]

I actually find one of the best indicators is caring for the eggs, constantly licking them, as many queens will lay a pile of eggs, and just ignore it. All of those seem to be unmated.

[MinigunL5]

I actually find one of the best indicators is caring for the eggs, constantly licking them, as many queens will lay a pile of eggs, and just ignore it. All of those seem to be unmated.

https://imgur.com/a/KsJsEbW

that's an older picture, but do you think it's mated?

[MinigunL5]

Probably over 98% of queens are fertile unless they have some genetic deformity or something. What you should be asking is if the queens are mated.

Wouldn't gravid be a better term?

[NickAnter]

Gravid means with eggs. Unmated queens can still lay eggs. I can't guess whether that queen you have there is mated, I would have to observe for a few days.

[MinigunL5]

Gravid means with eggs. Unmated queens can still lay eggs. I can't guess whether that queen you have there is mated, I would have to observe for a few days.

Ok      

 

Edit: look at this https://www.research...pregnant_insect

Edited by MinigunL5, June 3 2020 - 4:09 PM.

[MinigunL5]

Gravid means with eggs. Unmated queens can still lay eggs. I can't guess whether that queen you have there is mated, I would have to observe for a few days.

This is a weird word, but would impregnated be a good term instead of mated? XD

[Temperateants]

Well, everyone else here brought up good points. Basically some signs:

• Wingless: not always a reliable sign, I've had plenty of queens I found with wings found colonies.
• Licking the tip of their gaster: They curl up, as if to lay an egg. I like to think of this as practice.
• Settling down: A lot of mated queens will settle down quicker, but this isn't actually a very reliable sign, as most Camponotus queens are very active in the first few days, and eventually unmated queens will also settle down.
• Egg piles: In the rare occurance unmated queens lay, they will usually eat the piles (some sensitive queens do this though) or lay eggs but not organize them. I have dealt with these queens before

Sometiimes, you can encourage laying by providing better conditions, such as using a heating cable if your queen doesn't get enough heat and providing adequate humidity and giving your queens a lot of space.

Edited by Temperateants, June 3 2020 - 4:23 PM.

[MinigunL5]

Well, everyone else here brought up good points. Basically some signs:

• Wingless: not always a reliable sign, I've had plenty of queens I found with wings found colonies.
• Licking the tip of their gaster: They curl up, as if to lay an egg. I like to think of this as practice.
• Settling down: A lot of mated queens will settle down quicker, but this isn't actually a very reliable sign, as most Camponotus queens are very active in the first few days, and eventually unmated queens will also settle down.
• Egg piles: In the rare occurance unmated queens lay, they will usually eat the piles (some sensitive queens do this though) or lay eggs but not organize them. I have dealt with these queens before

Sometiimes, you can encourage laying by providing better conditions, such as using a heating cable if your queen doesn't get enough heat and providing adequate humidity and giving your queens a lot of space.

Thx for the help! Thankfully, all my queens so far have laid eggs.

I will look out for them licking the tip of their gastor. 

[AntsDakota]

Gravid means with eggs. Unmated queens can still lay eggs. I can't guess whether that queen you have there is mated, I would have to observe for a few days.

This is a weird word, but would impregnated be a good term instead of mated? XD

Or perhaps inseminated? I always feel like ‘unmated’ is such a casual and non scientific term.