2 replies to this topic

[Ottercl]

Hey,
I have a Camponotus Novaeboracensis colony in their 3rd year, but they only have around 15 workers and 1 larvae. Last year, the queen stopped producing eggs and the larvae stopped growing around mid-summer and I fear that’s happening again this year.
My C. Pennsylvanicus which is a year younger has nearly twice the workers they do and plenty of brood, they are in the same conditions and same type of nest.
Does anyone know why the colony is growing so slowly and stopping development in the middle of the summer?
Thanks!

[Manitobant]

There is a good chance they are wanting to hibernate, especially if you took them out early in the year.

[Serafine]

Do you heat them?

Not sure how novae works but some Camponotus (for example herculeanus and ligniperda) basically have a 1-year plan and if that's done they will go into stand-by mode. I've seen people who managed to send their C. ligniperda into pre-hibernation as early as the start of June by feeding them well and providing constant heat.

 

You can also try to feed them different foods to encourage them to lay (might be too late for this year though) - for my Camponotus (barbaricus) bee larvae, wild spiders and waxworms work exceptionally well.

Edited by Serafine, August 16 2022 - 6:51 PM.