14 replies to this topic

[txboi2583]

Hoping I'm right that this is a queen I don't think it's Solenopsis invicta seems bigger than one also i live in north texas

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Edited by txboi2583, March 14 2016 - 2:20 PM.

[Miles]

This is a Camponotus queen (maybe C. discolor). Nice find!

Edited by Miles, March 14 2016 - 2:52 PM.

[txboi2583]

thanks is there any special care for them

[dspdrew]

Camponotus flying already.

[txboi2583]

its been unusually warm here this winter

[txboi2583]

I was wondering if it would be safe to but her in the fridge till her formicaria gets here someone told me she would be and it would keep her from laying eggs if so what temp is safe 

[Ants4fun]

I am not sure why you would want to move her into a formicarium. A test tube setup is recommended until they have at least 10 workers.

[txboi2583]

Well it would be one of the atom founding formicarium from Tar Heel ants

[Ants4fun]

Or you can just use a cottan swab or something to move the eggs? I have had queens that have laid eggs while cooled, so I am not sure if that statement is true.

[Miles]

I recommend that you find a small tupperware or similar container. Ensure that it is clean, and add a cotton ball soaked (but not extremely wet) with distilled or bottled water. You can give her a small droplet of honey for sustenance. If she lays eggs, and she probably will, you will have two choices.

The first choice would be to simply place the hydrated atom into the tupperware and remove the cotton ball, making the inside of the atom a prime nesting spot for her. She would move her brood inside.

The second choice would be to manually move the eggs into the formicarium by very carefully touching the end of a moistened skewer or q-tip to the eggs, and carefully brushing them inside.

Edited by Miles, March 14 2016 - 7:35 PM.

[Ants4fun]

Make sure to order nest mates! I have had queens die or dehydration in those when it went without water for a couple days. The nests themselves don't hold very much.

[txboi2583]

So you wouldn't advise the fridge

[txboi2583]

Yeah that was the plan thanks though

[Miles]

The fridge could work if you only did so for 2-4 days. I looked up weather data in the area and I see that it is dropping down to fairly cold temperatures at night. 

Edited by Miles, March 14 2016 - 7:32 PM.

[txboi2583]

Alright thanks man for all your help I'm new to this and am learning new stuff everyday