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Why do Myrmecocystus eat their own brood?


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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Solenoqueen - Posted November 8 2016 - 3:24 PM

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I have heard reports numerous times of honeypots eating their own larvae and pupae. Can anyone tell me why and how to prevent it from happening in my Myrmecocystus colony?


:>


#2 Offline Mdrogun - Posted November 8 2016 - 4:03 PM

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I have heard reports numerous times of honeypots eating their own larvae and pupae. Can anyone tell me why and how to prevent it from happening in my Myrmecocystus colony?

Pretty much every species of ant will eat their own brood in certain situations. It is normally caused by stress or conditions that caused the brood to die. While Myrmecocystus tend to be sensitive, as long as you properly take care of them you shouldn't have anything to worry about.


Edited by Mdrogun, November 8 2016 - 4:09 PM.

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Currently Keeping:
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Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega


#3 Offline Canadian anter - Posted November 8 2016 - 7:00 PM

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Hey sorry for the hijack but Mdrogun howith did you grow your pogonomyrmex
Visit us at www.canada-ant-colony.com !

#4 Offline Mdrogun - Posted November 9 2016 - 7:14 PM

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Hey sorry for the hijack but Mdrogun howith did you grow your pogonomyrmex

Next time please PM me. I keep my pogonomyrmex around 85-90 F, I feed them a lot of protein, rarely disturb them and give them tons of seeds. I use formicaria made by TarheelAnts as well which they seem to love.


Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole pilifera

Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega


#5 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 9 2016 - 7:18 PM

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Unless there is something wrong with the queen, they shouldn't be doing that in a dirt nest like the one your colony is in.



#6 Offline Vendayn - Posted November 9 2016 - 8:25 PM

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Ants really only do that if they are stressed for the most part. Especially if they are bothered a lot. Even looking at them too much or shining a light on them (if they aren't used to full light, though 100% light 24/7 isn't very natural) could be enough to cause stress for a lot of ant species.

 

When I was newer to ant keeping, I often had queens eating their brood in their test tubes. It was because I kept looking at them all the time and that seemed to bother them whenever my shadow passed over.



#7 Offline OTHER - Posted November 15 2016 - 7:09 AM

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I have heard reports numerous times of honeypots eating their own larvae and pupae. Can anyone tell me why and how to prevent it from happening in my Myrmecocystus colony?

It's the biologic ant defense system, Laying eggs costs energy.
By nest disturbance (Stress caused by anything) they will eat their brood because they feel the chance to lose their brood.
So they eat to save a bit of the energy put in it.


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#8 Offline Solenoqueen - Posted November 15 2016 - 7:31 AM

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I have heard reports numerous times of honeypots eating their own larvae and pupae. Can anyone tell me why and how to prevent it from happening in my Myrmecocystus colony?

It's the biologic ant defense system, Laying eggs costs energy.
By nest disturbance (Stress caused by anything) they will eat their brood because they feel the chance to lose their brood.
So they eat to save a bit of the energy put in it.

 

I'm pretty sure the energy is already expended and the eggs are used as a food source ._. in your perspective...


:>


#9 Offline OTHER - Posted November 15 2016 - 8:48 AM

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I have heard reports numerous times of honeypots eating their own larvae and pupae. Can anyone tell me why and how to prevent it from happening in my Myrmecocystus colony?

It's the biologic ant defense system, Laying eggs costs energy.
By nest disturbance (Stress caused by anything) they will eat their brood because they feel the chance to lose their brood.
So they eat to save a bit of the energy put in it.

 

I'm pretty sure the energy is already expended and the eggs are used as a food source ._. in your perspective...

 

A food source turned back in the energy to lay new eggs, rather than let the brood go to waste. Correct.


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