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Posted July 12 2021 - 7:38 AM
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Hello, I have a colony of Aphaenogaster rudis and the Queen started acting strange last night. This morning I found her and a worker outside of the nest and they're just laying here. She seems super weak and is just barely moving while the worker seems to be laying on her. Last night she left the nest and frantically scurried around the outworld. They have the right amount of humidity, heat and some the workers dragged a few mealworms into the nest. IS she dying?
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Posted July 12 2021 - 8:16 AM
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Posted July 12 2021 - 8:34 AM
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It looks like she is. If the colony is out of water or honey, feed her that with a q-tip, but otherwise there isn't anything you can do.
TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal
Currently Keeping:
- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)
- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)
- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)
- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)
- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)
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Posted July 12 2021 - 8:58 AM
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UPDATE: some of the larger workers dragged her into the nest and there are several "tending" to her? They're all just laying on her. I had byformica sunburst in the outworld, but they covered it up as this species doesn't like liquid. I can't get to her to feed her anything, as almost the entire colony is laying on her.
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Posted July 12 2021 - 9:14 AM
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If there is no sunburst, how does the colony get sugars? I would suggest adding it or some honey back and seeing if the colony feeds it to the queen. If the colony goes without sugars for an extended period of time, that could be the issue.
TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal
Currently Keeping:
- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)
- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)
- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)
- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)
- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)
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Posted July 13 2021 - 1:40 PM
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Aphaenogaster don’t like liquids and they don’t have social stomachs so they can’t directly feed each other.If there is no sunburst, how does the colony get sugars? I would suggest adding it or some honey back and seeing if the colony feeds it to the queen. If the colony goes without sugars for an extended period of time, that could be the issue.
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Posted July 14 2021 - 7:49 PM
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She died sadly, shortly after the picture was taken. However, the colony is doing well. A few of the pupae hatched a few days ago and there are over 20 eggs left. They are still eating the mealworms I provide and still covering up the sunburst liquid, haha. Much to my surprise, I put some apple in there this morning and they are taking a liking to it. I know they won't survive without her, but none-the-less, I will take good care of them until then end.
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Posted July 14 2021 - 8:10 PM
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Aphaenogaster don’t like liquids and they don’t have social stomachs so they can’t directly feed each other.If there is no sunburst, how does the colony get sugars? I would suggest adding it or some honey back and seeing if the colony feeds it to the queen. If the colony goes without sugars for an extended period of time, that could be the issue.
They do collect nectar and honeydew, at least North American species have been noted to do so.
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Posted July 16 2021 - 8:06 AM
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They will sometimes, but generally they feed on solid forms of carbohydrates like seeds. I have observed wild A. rudis colonies and I never once saw them feed on liquids, only insects and seeds.They do collect nectar and honeydew, at least North American species have been noted to do so.
Aphaenogaster don’t like liquids and they don’t have social stomachs so they can’t directly feed each other.If there is no sunburst, how does the colony get sugars? I would suggest adding it or some honey back and seeing if the colony feeds it to the queen. If the colony goes without sugars for an extended period of time, that could be the issue.
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Posted July 16 2021 - 8:37 AM
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My Novomessor, a closely related genus also lacking a social stomach, drink honey and water from their feeders regularly. I have heard that they will sometimes carry drops of liquid, or soaked substrate to transport food. You're right that they may not need honey but if the feeder's removal was a recent change there is a chance it could have been the cause. Adding back the feeder is a small thing to do with the chance of saving the queen.
TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal
Currently Keeping:
- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)
- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)
- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)
- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)
- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)
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Posted July 16 2021 - 12:29 PM
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Posted July 20 2021 - 7:02 AM
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Agreed. The queen could have been unable to eat if nothing was provided to absorb the sunburst or if no solid source of carbs for them to bring to the nest was provided.
Nothing was ever removed from the outworld. The sunburst feeder is still there and there is loose sand on the floor of the outworld, to which they have gathered and covered as much of the liquid as possible.
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