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Edited by WiteBeam, November 17 2025 - 11:02 PM.
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Young CA-02 colony producing Majors?
Started By
WiteBeam
, Nov 17 2025 10:58 PM
3 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted November 17 2025 - 10:58 PM
WiteBeam
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Hello. I have a fairly young CA-02 colony that has about 15 workers. Last week, I noticed that all but one of the larva in the pile pupated. This one larva has continued to grow into a giant. I understand it’s normal for the normal workers to get bigger in as the colony grows but has anyone seen a major this early on?
- OwlThatLikesAnts likes this
#2
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Posted November 18 2025 - 6:23 AM
OwlThatLikesAnts
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Hello. I have a fairly young CA-02 colony that has about 15 workers. Last week, I noticed that all but one of the larva in the pile pupated. This one larva has continued to grow into a giant. I understand it’s normal for the normal workers to get bigger in as the colony grows but has anyone seen a major this early on?
I'm guessing you're feeding them a lot and they are taking advantage of this by producing more likely probable a worker in the media caste and not a major.
(If you didn't know a media worker is basically the cast that bridges the gap between workers and majors)
Currently keeping:
1x Formica subsericea, 35-40 workers + maybe eggs *New* 2x Camponotus nova, one has only larva
1x Crematogaster cerasi, All workers is ded 
*extreme internal screaming* 1x Myrmica ruba sp around 10 workers + pupa
*New* 1x Temnothorax curvispinosus, 101 or something worker + 3 or 4 royal mom ants + pile of white ant worms
*As you watch your ants march, remember that every thing begins with a small step and continued by diligence and shared dreams* -A.T (which is Me)
Sadly due to unforeseen consequences, I will soon be giving away my colonies (I will miss them though 
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#3
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Posted November 18 2025 - 6:42 AM
WiteBeam
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Hello. I have a fairly young CA-02 colony that has about 15 workers. Last week, I noticed that all but one of the larva in the pile pupated. This one larva has continued to grow into a giant. I understand it’s normal for the normal workers to get bigger in as the colony grows but has anyone seen a major this early on?
I'm guessing you're feeding them a lot and they are taking advantage of this by producing more likely probable a worker in the media caste and not a major.
(If you didn't know a media worker is basically the cast that bridges the gap between workers and majors)
That’s exactly right. They have been eating good. I’ll share an update at the next stages. Thanks!
- OwlThatLikesAnts likes this
#4
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Posted November 21 2025 - 7:24 AM
RushmoreAnts
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It is normal for any Camponotus colony to produce their first major at around 20 workers.
"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version
Keeping:
Tetramorium immigrans Camponotus vicinus, modoc, novaeboracensis, herculeanus
Formica pallidefulva, argentea Solenopsis molesta
Formica cf. aserva Lasius brevicornis, neoniger
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