5 replies to this topic

[PaxxMantid]

hi all -

 

I have 3 colonies that are all very new - queen with a few workers and eggs, but just starting out.

 

I got these from someone else and because I was moving I wasn't able to put them into hibernation (wine cooler) like I ordinarily would have. Now, winter is more than halfway done! 

 

I'm still thinking that i'll start reducing the temp in the room they are in a few degrees every day, and then when it gets down to 60 degrees or so i'll move them into the wine cooler and let them chill for, maybe 2 or even 3 months.

 

From what I've learned, skipping the hibernation phase isn't great for the ants, even for newly founded colonies. 

 

Anyone have any opinions on this? Hoping to keep these guys healthy! thanks!

[ANTdrew]

This is a species specific question. Can you provide more info? In general, though, your colonies should be fine with a gradual cool down followed by a few months in a wine cooler. Ants are not aware of the calendar.

[PaxxMantid]

This is a species specific question. Can you provide more info? In general, though, your colonies should be fine with a gradual cool down followed by a few months in a wine cooler. Ants are not aware of the calendar.

 

Oh sure, here are the species:

 

Lasius Neoniger

Camponotus vicinus

Tetramorium immigrans

 

thank you!

[Kowal]

Your ants don't really get to feel the outside weather. The temperature inside doesn't drop nearly as much as it does outside. Most species from temperate climate run on a biological timer - they will just know that even though it is still warm, the winter is coming and it's time to stop growth. They can sit in state of diapause when it is still warm for quite some time, even in nature. So, just like ANTdrew said, they should be fine if you start cooling them only now. Definitely don't skip the temperature drop period - some ants won't go out of diapause if they don't experience a temperature drop!
I'd like to add that some species are so unaware of the outside season that if you start overwintering as soon as they enter diapause and take them out after 3 months, the colony will end up being active much earlier than the wild ants. Then the next season will end sooner etc. 

I currently have two Camponotus colonies (herculeanus and fallax, the latter are very similar to NA nearcticus) which I keep in alternating manner - when one are in diapause the other one are active. They both have rather short (about 4 months) seasons and both are fine with 4 month inactivity season (3 months in a fridge + 2 weeks of cooling/warming). Both are completely off sync with outside seasons and both are thriving. 

Edited by Kowal, January 18 2024 - 12:36 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Lasius neoniger will need diapause.
C. vicinus may not depending on where they were collected.
Tetramorium do not need any kind of diapause.

[Rrar]

By the way, you posted two of the same topics