2 replies to this topic

[Scottmac]

Hi, i have a colony of m. barbarus and my boys recently caught some l. niger mated queens.

In the case of l. niger is it possible to collect pupae from other wild nests to the mated queens so when they hatch the workers will adapt to those queens? How likely is it this would work? (I'd not try larvae as the queens would need to feed them and so i assume it's more likely they'd be eaten)

Similar Q with my m. barbarus as i have 2 queens only about 5-10 workers and brood after several months, but i am based in UK so don't have acccess to wild populations. Is there anywhere online ou can purchase m. barbarus (live) pupae?

Thanks

Scott

[ANTdrew]

You could certainly boost your L. niger with wild pupae of the same species.
On a different note, please hit post once and wait to avoid double posting. The forum can lag a bit, but your post will show up.

[Scottmac]

Thanks re l. niger, I will find pupae from local wild nests in NE England.

I will be careful with double posts.

Pls can you or anyone else advise if there is anyway to order m barbarus pupae anywhere online?

Thanks

Scott