3 replies to this topic

[electrodynamix]

Images:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/t4PKKWv
was caught yesterday night inside the house. It was the only one however. Size is about 14mm. Do you think the test tube i have it in is too small for it?

also- she is being very inactive and that is worrying me. is there anything i can do?

Edited by electrodynamix, May 27 2025 - 8:11 AM.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Camponotus species

[Artisan_Ants]

Camponotus species

Yes. Specifically C. irritans (Camponotus irritans). When I went to India last summer, I found these queens and alates of this species at around this time (their flight period starts in May, and ends in late July or early August). 

[Artisan_Ants]

Images:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/t4PKKWv
was caught yesterday night inside the house. It was the only one however. Size is about 14mm. Do you think the test tube i have it in is too small for it?

also- she is being very inactive and that is worrying me. is there anything i can do?

Sometimes queens may be inactive, especially alates I find which could mean infertility, but it's best to keep her for at least three weeks or so just to make sure if she lays eggs, as some species take some time to adapt (or it could just be something going on with that individual queen.) If she doesn't lay eggs after three weeks, just release her (that's what I do at least). I have a Camponotus nearcticus alate, and she is very inactive, and hasn't laid eggs for weeks so I plan to release her by the end of this week as she's definitely infertile at this point. In conclusion, just give her some time and she might lay eggs. Remember, patience is key.

 

As for the setup, it's completely fine. The way to check if setups are good or not is if the queen inside can do a full rotation without hassle. If she can, then the setup is fine, although of course, it shouldn't be to big, but yours is not so you're fine.

 

Hope this helps, and Good Luck!