3 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

 

Earlier today she was on her back but her daughters have set her upright …and it’s the smallest and saddest thing I’ve ever seen. But she’s really gone and I’m going to remove her once they move her body out of the nest.

They are eating so I think they will live at least.

 

I'll take care of her daughters for as long as they need. 

 

I'm pretty sad and this happened a few days ago but I just didn't want to talk about it. I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong but can't think of anything. 

[ANTdrew]

Sorry to hear that. Don’t beat yourself up. A lot of times queens just die for no apparent reason.

[Zeiss]

Ants are r-selected organisms: meaning that they reproduce often and in great numbers.  They produce so many queens because a vast majority of them will not survive and produce meaningful colonies.

 

Try not to beat yourself up too much over the loss and get ready for the next season!

[Manitobant]

Queens dying is a natural part of this hobby, and often times queens will die for no reason, even if the antkeeper is doing everything right. Your first few losses will hurt but remember that everyone has queens die and having a season without any deaths is practically unheard of.