5 replies to this topic

[Ameise]

Hey there.

 

I have a few Tapinoma sessile (or at least that's how we've identified them) queens; from the papers I've read, sometimes they are polygynous, sometimes they are monogynous. To me, this suggests a species complex, but regardless. Would it be 'safe' for me to introduce a new queen into the claustral tube of another queen in this case? Is there a best practice for how to do it?

[Vendayn]

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Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 7:02 PM.

[Ameise]

I have three of them so far, just not sure if I should keep them separate.

[BMM]

My little colony has two queens for what it's worth. This is perhaps not the best advice, but try scaring the old queen a little if she gets aggressive. I've noticed that T. sessile are pretty skittish and when you put them in a panic, they tend to forget that there's a new ant around. I've successfully added a queen, a male alate, and a few workers this way.

[Mdrogun]

I currently have a Tapinoma sessile colony with 16 queens that were collected outside. It seems that the majority of this species is open to polygyny. I would suggest attempting to add the two queens that are doing the worst together. This way, if something goes wrong, you'll still have your best queen. I doubt anything will go wrong though, this species is super docile.

[Ameise]

Mdrogun - have you been seeing a lot of Tapinoma queens outside lately? I know you aren't far from me, thus why I ask. I keep catching them walking around.