5 replies to this topic

[TheGamblingAnt]

I was able to catch 4 Subsericea queens this afternoon. I'm reading quite a bit of mixed info on their compatibility to be polygynous. Is it a mistake to put these 4 queens in the same tube? If I can I'd like a larger colony that the 4 queens would survive with each other, but if 3 of them are just going to die I'd rather raise 4 separate ones and maybe sell them. What do you think the success rate of keeping the 4 queens together that they'll actually form a colony together rather than being killed off once the workers arrive ???

[Ants_Dakota]

I was able to catch 4 Subsericea queens this afternoon. I'm reading quite a bit of mixed info on their compatibility to be polygynous. Is it a mistake to put these 4 queens in the same tube? If I can I'd like a larger colony that the 4 queens would survive with each other, but if 3 of them are just going to die I'd rather raise 4 separate ones and maybe sell them. What do you think the success rate of keeping the 4 queens together that they'll actually form a colony together rather than being killed off once the workers arrive ???

Lucky find! Where did you find them? In general, I believe they are polygynous, although every population is different. 

[TheGamblingAnt]

Found them all just running on my driveway. Saw a male Formica ants last night and another this morning so I kept going outside and checking all morning since I'm pretty sure Formica queens usually fly mid day.the queens were all frantic at first when I put them in the same tube,, but have since calmed down a bit. I think it'd be cool to have a multiple queen Formica colony.

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Edited by TheGamblingAnt, July 25 2025 - 2:29 PM.

[ANTdrew]

How are you so lucky??

[TheGamblingAnt]

Here in Wisconsin we literally have Formica ants everywhere. Honestly might be the most common ant I ever see anywhere other than tetramorium. I've got 7 huge Formica subsericea nests in my yard that I watch every day to see if I ever see any queens wandering around the nests so I can be ready to catch a flight! Couple of days ago one of the nests had a few curious queens poking out so I figured some would have to be flying in the coming days

[ANTdrew]

Formica are ants of the northern latitudes.