3 replies to this topic

[CharmyAnts]

I recently bought a Pheidole Pilifera Queen from statesideants. However, the test tube came completely flooded with all the brood and workers drowned; even the seeds had begun to germinate in the tube and she wasn’t looking in great shape. I contacted them as suggested on the website but I am admittedly concerned about what their response to the situation will be. What has your guys experience with StateSideAnts been?

Also, is it likely for the queen to recover after losing all of her workers? I’ve heard that queens often lose the ability to take care of themselves after having workers.

Edited by CharmyAnts, Today, 10:05 AM.

[cooIboyJ]

How many workers did she have? If it was a minute amount (1-5) then it is possible to recover with feedings (from what I know, but wait for someone more experienced to reply), but if it were something like 20+ workers then most likely no recovery. If it had many workers, then it might be possible to give her some pupae from a colony of the same species if you are able to find one, but you must make sure that it is the exact same species, or problems could start appearing.

Edited by cooIboyJ, Today, 11:19 AM.

[CharmyAnts]

How many workers did she have? If it was a minute amount (1-5) then it is possible to recover with feedings (from what I know, but wait for someone more experienced to reply), but if it were something like 20+ workers then most likely no recovery. If it had many workers, then it might be possible to give her some pupae from a colony of the same species if you are able to find one, but you must make sure that it is the exact same species, or problems could start appearing.

Unfortunately, finding another colony nearby isn't an option available to me due to the weather and the location in my state. 
She had approximately, 8-10 workers from what I see. She had a couple of pretty decently developed larvae, and I'd imagine a bit of eggs as well. 

[cooIboyJ]

 

How many workers did she have? If it was a minute amount (1-5) then it is possible to recover with feedings (from what I know, but wait for someone more experienced to reply), but if it were something like 20+ workers then most likely no recovery. If it had many workers, then it might be possible to give her some pupae from a colony of the same species if you are able to find one, but you must make sure that it is the exact same species, or problems could start appearing.

Unfortunately, finding another colony nearby isn't an option available to me due to the weather and the location in my state. 
She had approximately, 8-10 workers from what I see. She had a couple of pretty decently developed larvae, and I'd imagine a bit of eggs as well. 

 

I would feed her a fruit fly or part of a cut-up mealworm (or whatever protein you have) and keep her in a new test tube setup and see what happens. She might make a recovery, and she might not.