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, and contain no ads for members. 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!

what to do when queens last worker dies and queen is refusing to lay eggs

Started By SardineBoy6.0 , Jan 13 2021 9:31 AM

Please log in to reply

7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:31 AM

Advanced Member

Members
65 posts

hello,

my tetramorium immigrans queen came out of hibernation last night. this morning I found her last worker dead and no eggs whatsoever in the test tube. what should I do? is there any way to save her?

#2 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:37 AM

Advanced Member

Members
1,528 posts

LocationMichigan

Feed her. Then hope she'll recover.

#3 Offline SardineBoy6.0 - Posted January 13 2021 - 9:41 AM

Advanced Member

Members
65 posts

I've tried that she is refusing to eat as well

#4 Offline Manitobant - Posted January 13 2021 - 10:17 AM

Advanced Member

Members
1,361 posts

LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Heat her as well. Sometimes ants need heat to lay after hibernation. Also I hate to say this but in my experience collapsed colonies have a very high mortality rate and rarely survive, as the queen doesn’t have the ability to found again.

Ant_Dude2908, Chickalo and Moonant01 like this

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528

Harpagoxenus canadensis: https://www.formicul...-14th/?p=155079

Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811

#5 Offline Chickalo - Posted January 13 2021 - 10:39 AM

Advanced Member

Members
83 posts

LocationSwampscott, MA

Heat her as well. Sometimes ants need heat to lay after hibernation. Also I hate to say this but in my experience collapsed colonies have a very high mortality rate and rarely survive, as the queen doesn’t have the ability to found again.

heating can also make the brood grow faster meaning more workers faster.

An adopted korean who gets called chinese on a daily basis:

my stuff vvv

My Formicaria Journal

My Twitter

My Insta (to come)

My discord (to come)

My youtube (you guessed it, to come)

#6 Online gs5248 - Posted January 13 2021 - 11:14 AM

Advanced Member

Members
80 posts

LocationSacramento California

hello,

my tetramorium immigrans queen came out of hibernation last night. this morning I found her last worker dead and no eggs whatsoever in the test tube. what should I do? is there any way to save her?

You can try to feed her and heat her, but sadly it is likely it won't work. I had the same experience last year, I tried everything, but the queen still died.

#7 Online Ant_Dude2908 - Posted January 13 2021 - 8:48 PM

Advanced Member

Members
4,325 posts

LocationNashville, Tennessee

As manitobant said, its rare for a queen to recover after she loses all her workers. The best thing to do is give her some pupae and workers from a wild colony and hope she rebounds.