1 reply to this topic

[TheGamblingAnt]

Over the last 2 nights, I have found 8 tetramorium queens with their wings on just walking on my driveway.. I do have several tetramorium colonies up and down my whole driveway. Should I keep catching these in hopes they are fertile? Or just assume these are wanderers from a nearby nest that haven't flown yet. I know you're not supposed to catch alates walking around the nest opening since they're almost certainly infertile.. but these are just totally walking in random spots on my driveway (but could still be very close to a nest since I have so many). Wondering everyone's opinion on this. Thank you!

[RushmoreAnts]

The ones close to their colonies are likely unmated. Take a chance with the ones wandering further away. Don't sleep on any of them yet, though, as the mated ones will soon lose their wings and lay eggs. Tetra queens lay eggs typically within 3-4 days of capture. The queens that don't drop their wings and lay by then and especially after a whole week are most likely unmated, infertile, or genetically unfit. You aren't wasting much by sticking them in test tubes and waiting for a few days. The ants will tell you.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, July 1 2025 - 9:07 PM.