8 replies to this topic

[timtellstrom]

My queen stopped laying in late August-september something and all brood was fully developed, they have hibernated until now when i noticed the queen started laying eggs. Never seen something similar since usually it's around late march my formica queens lay the first eggs.

 

My plan is to keep them room temp until eggs develop to larvae if not return to hibernation.

 

-Anyone else who have been in the same situation? 

[timtellstrom]

i msut also add that they take proteins, roaches and mealworms. They have no larvae, my thougt is that they use it to fuel the queen for laying more eggs.

[IdioticMouse26]

I noticed that you hibernated them quite early. Could it be that they're waking up earlier than usual because of that? 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

I mean this October they did the same thing, one of the queens laid eggs (it was a polygynous colony but one of the queens quit life  ) and the eggs developed into fully grown workers

[timtellstrom]

I noticed that you hibernated them quite early. Could it be that they're waking up earlier than usual because of that? 

Maybe that could be the case, but i find it weird still. The fact that you could influence their biological clock (if that's the case) !

[timtellstrom]

I mean this October they did the same thing, one of the queens laid eggs (it was a polygynous colony but one of the queens quit life  ) and the eggs developed into fully grown workers

that's very sad! at least you have a queen left, does your formica queens lay eggs during hibernation you say? and they developed fully? 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

 

I mean this October they did the same thing, one of the queens laid eggs (it was a polygynous colony but one of the queens quit life  ) and the eggs developed into fully grown workers

that's very sad! at least you have a queen left, does your formica queens lay eggs during hibernation you say? and they developed fully? 

 

Not fully, it’s the one larva

the other ones developed fully

Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, December 19 2024 - 8:24 AM.

[timtellstrom]

Fast update, the cinerea colony has grown to about 1000 workers this second season, the queen stopped laying already in may. Probably because she started laying in december😅 the rhythm is screwed up. But they eat tons of protein:)

[ANTdrew]

You really need to share photos of a colony like that. I’ve never heard of anyone on this forum having a Formica colony that big before.