2 replies to this topic

[Arsonist]

I have a queen that I’m pretty sure is a camponotus nearcticus who has one worker ant and many larvae, pupae, and eggs. I’d read that this species is fully claustral and wouldn’t need to be fed until there were 5-10 workers, but today I saw the queen eating something that is presumably a pupa cocoon. Should I start feeding her and her worker now to prevent this? I also saw a dead worker a few days before, so it’s possible they could be eating that one.

[ANTdrew]

I would not wait for some set number of workers to feed. Offer the young colony some sugars and protein asap.

[Manitobant]

Yes, colonies should be fed as soon as the first workers emerge. Waiting any longer can negatively affect the queen.