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Pupae shinking

Started By denverdean1 , Apr 4 2017 11:19 AM

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline denverdean1 - Posted April 4 2017 - 11:19 AM

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The cocoons on my pupae look like they are shrinking and getting pretty small as you can see in the picture. I was just wondering if this is bad or just means they are about to eclose. They are Camponotus pennsylvanicus.

#2 Offline denverdean1 - Posted April 4 2017 - 11:26 AM

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http://imgur.com/KgG9Ghk
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#3 Offline ultraex2 - Posted April 4 2017 - 11:47 AM

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I think it should be okay - I have camponotus nearcticus and the cocoons darken/shrink a bit when they are about to eclose.  It might be different for pennsylvanicus, though.


#4 Offline Kevin - Posted April 4 2017 - 12:58 PM

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Yes, pupae shrink and wrinkle up before eclosing. You can start to see the outline of the worker inside the cocoon. 


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#5 Offline Serafine - Posted April 4 2017 - 2:27 PM

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Larvae are essentially just soft balloons filled with all sorts of basic nutrients. When the larvae pupates to a worker it facilitates these into more complex compounds that form it's hardened shell, internal organs, receptors, muscles, etc. and also looses a fair portion of water. So yes, the finished worker is actually smaller than the larva that pupated.


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We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

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#6 Offline ctantkeeper - Posted April 4 2017 - 6:23 PM

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Yes, this is normal behavior. They should be completely fine.


#7 Offline MichiganAnts - Posted April 4 2017 - 10:48 PM

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Yes, pupae shrink and wrinkle up before eclosing. You can start to see the outline of the worker inside the cocoon. 

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#8 Offline Alabama Anter - Posted April 5 2017 - 6:21 AM

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Yep. Normal.

YJK

#9 Offline denverdean1 - Posted April 5 2017 - 11:17 AM

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Ok, thanks for the help
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