Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

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!

Formica parasite/host polygyne scenario question

Started By RushmoreAnts , Jun 6 2020 3:59 PM

Please log in to reply

1 reply to this topic

#1 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted June 6 2020 - 3:59 PM

Advanced Member

Members
4,315 posts

LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

So, I was just curious about Formica social parasites. I was wondering if, say, you have a mature F. montana colony with 5 queens, and that colony is infiltrated by a single parasitic queen. My question is, would the queen simply kill one host queen and leave the rest alone, or would she hunt down every last queen and kill them all?

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#2 Offline Nare - Posted June 6 2020 - 4:06 PM

Advanced Member

Members
398 posts

Most parasites would kill all 5 queens I'd assume. I've heard Formica uralensis queens might coexist in host colonies (rather what I heard is that host colonies adopt uralensis queens and so presumably the parasites coexist with the hosts), but I think it unlikely that anything over here isn't going to just go ahead and kill all 5 queens. Much safer to take brood from the large colony and give it to the parasite.