3 replies to this topic

[noebl1]

I captured a bunch of L. Alienus, L. Neoniger and L. Flavius queens this season.  One of the L. Alienus queens I collected this summer (caught 7/22/16) I noticed when checking up on her this Fall, she had a small pile of eggs.  I put them down into the basement last month, but taking longer than I thought for the basement temperature to drop (it's sitting around 61), so my planned hibernation isn't going so well.  On checking on them last night, I noticed this one L. Alienus had two recently eclosed nanitics (within the last 2 weeks), and looks like a few more that are pretty close to eclosing.

 

I've got a wine chiller coming in early next week.  However what do I do about these that recently eclosed?  Should I just make sure they have water, put them in the chiller as I planned?  If this was the Spring, I'd look at giving them some food, but obviously I'm a bit off here... 

 

Thanks!

[Loops117]

I could be wrong, but you may want to wait until they all hatch? Hibernation isn't easy on eggs.

[MichiganAnts]

if the queens have eclosing larva, don't hibernate until they are all hatched

[noebl1]

Thanks guys, I'll hold this one out for a bit longer before move to the cooler.  I assume I should feed them as well so they can stock up a bit for hibernation (even if a bit delayed.)