8 replies to this topic

[jpalves]

Hi. I have a new Camponotus colony with four workers and a little brood pile. Yesterday one worker killed one of the older and I would like to know what may be causing this behavior. It's the second worker dead this way in less than two months. I think it could be a lack of nutrient but they are fed every day with insects and sweets and they didn't eat the worker(would they do?). I thought stress could be another reason because I forgot the test tube uncovered. What do you think?

Sorry for any mistake, don't know English very well.

Edited by jpalves, January 12 2016 - 1:50 PM.

[Mdrogun]

It is hard to say. Colonies will sometimes kill workers ,in order to recycle them, if they did not develop right which might indicate low moisture. They could just randomly not have developed right in the first place. What sp. of Camponotus is this?

[jpalves]

This looks like Camponotus crassus or Camponotus arboreus but without the hairy gaster. The queen is about 12mm and the first workers around 5mm.

Edited by jpalves, January 12 2016 - 7:20 PM.

[Mdrogun]

I don't think it is stress. I was hoping you would have a Camponotus species I am familiar with but you do not. What are they doing with the bodies of the dead ants. Also, Are the workers being killed fighting back?

[jpalves]

They rip out the legs and let the body on the entrance of the test tube. I didn't see it happening but the queen and the other workers don't seem to be hurt so I guess there wasn't a fight.

Edited by jpalves, January 15 2016 - 5:06 PM.

[Mdrogun]

Are you sure the workers are not dying and then being eaten? You mentioned the workers were older workers how old were they?

[jpalves]

I don't know but that could be possible. They were only one month old.

Fortunately this Camponotus queen lay eggs really fast. The brood pile is larger everyday. If this problem stop, the colony will grow quickly.

[jpalves]

This is the species we are talking about:

http://www.antstore....razil-5318.html

Edited by jpalves, January 16 2016 - 10:14 AM.

[Mdrogun]

Okay, If this colony is from Brazil there is a high chance they need high temperatures. If you are not keeping them at at least 80 degrees farenheit that might be making them act weird or do things they would not normally do. This could also be the result of poor genetics from the queen. I hope the colony does well.