4 replies to this topic

[steelplant]

I found my first queen a few weeks ago, helpfully identified by the good folks here as a Myrmica.

 

After a few dramas she settled in well and now has several large larvae and some smaller ones. She's dug in so I don't see them til they appear on the surface. I've been giving her fresh protein and sugar sources every day (crickets, mini mealworms, fruit flies, shrimp, apple, strawberry, brown sugar water etc etc). 

 

My question is, am I working her too hard? Should I give her days with nothing so she can get a rest?

 

Many thanks for any advice.

 

I gave her the choice of a test tube set up or to dig her own nest (coir/sand mix) and she chose to dig. I didn't know she'd even laid an egg until the massive grub suddenly appeared. It blew me away the first time I saw her feeding it.

[Kaelwizard]

I have heard that Myrmica do best being fed small amounts of food, but often. So, as long as you aren’t giving her a lot of food she should be fine. Big larvae is probably a good sign that they are getting the food they need, so it’s probably fine.

[ANTdrew]

I don’t quite understand the question, but I advise feeding her a little bit every day and letting her decide how much she needs.

[ponerinecat]

You don't really "overwork" queens, as you have little to no influence on how much they produce. They do that at their own pace. The most you can do is stress her out, so just feed less often and leave her alone for now.

[steelplant]

Cheers guys. I'm taking the previous day's food away when I place the new. She just takes what she wants. It's great to see her waddling with a gaster full of bug juice. She isn't shy and likes to come out and see what's new. She moved coir to where I give her a drop of water, to soak it up I think. So clever. 

 

Thanks for your advice. I was just worried I was causing her to feed the larvae around the clock, in order to make the most of the resources available to her. That might still not make sense though.