7 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, October 15 2025 - 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, October 15 2025 - 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.

[Zhuge]

8-10 workers and a few eggs and larvae mean there is a decent chance for a recovery. coolboyJ has good advice.

[rptraut]

Hello CharmyAnts;

 

If I understand correctly, you now have a single queen and all her workers, larvae and eggs were lost to drowning when you received them.    You paid for a colony, not just a live queen.    I don't have any experience with statesideants, but when I received a colony in a similar condition from another company, all I had to do was email them (they say they like to see a photo) and they sent me a replacement colony.    You may find statesideants to be equally understanding.   You might also have to email them more than once.   Give it a try!

RPT

[CharmyAnts]

Hello CharmyAnts;

If I understand correctly, you now have a single queen and all her workers, larvae and eggs were lost to drowning when you received them. You paid for a colony, not just a live queen. I don't have any experience with statesideants, but when I received a colony in a similar condition from another company, all I had to do was email them (they say they like to see a photo) and they sent me a replacement colony. You may find statesideants to be equally understanding. You might also have to email them more than once. Give it a try!
RPT

He absolutely was understanding of the situation and offered to rectify it quickly. I guess I stressed myself out due to my past experiences with people who sell live animals/insects.

I have offered a couple of seeds and fruit flies as well as being in a new tube. Thank you all for your help and advice! I’ll keep everyone updated on the condition of the Queen.

Is there a way to mark a post as resolved or to close it?

Edited by CharmyAnts, October 16 2025 - 10:29 AM.

[cooIboyJ]

 

Hello CharmyAnts;

If I understand correctly, you now have a single queen and all her workers, larvae and eggs were lost to drowning when you received them. You paid for a colony, not just a live queen. I don't have any experience with statesideants, but when I received a colony in a similar condition from another company, all I had to do was email them (they say they like to see a photo) and they sent me a replacement colony. You may find statesideants to be equally understanding. You might also have to email them more than once. Give it a try!
RPT

He absolutely was understanding of the situation and offered to rectify it quickly. I guess I stressed myself out due to my past experiences with people who sell live animals/insects.

I have offered a couple of seeds and fruit flies as well as being in a new tube. Thank you all for your help and advice! I’ll keep everyone updated on the condition of the Queen.

Is there a way to mark a post as resolved or to close it?

 

It is only possible to mark a post as solved in ID threads, but you are able to ask a moderator to close the thread. But most likely now that no more help is needed people will naturally just stop posting here.