7 replies to this topic

[Spamdy]

 So my Pheidole constipata queen got her first worker, only one. Iv'e read before on some of the several Prenolepis imparis journals that small ant species don't forage when the colony is at X workers. I don't believe it's 3 workers but a little more. I'm afraid that the colony may not get enough workers to pass the number required to forage and will starve. Is there any way around this? I also believe that even below this number the colony will still accept sweets such as honey or sugar water? How should I approach this situation? Can someone give me an estimate on how many workers needed to forage for a species this tiny. If I got something wrong please correct me. Thanks is advance!

[Chomp231]

I'm sorry I'm at the 2 worker stage. So i am in the same boat as you i might have a little of a head start on you if you would like i can update you on what happens with mine i also have a queen with 1. After this i feel it'll be easier but right now we are in the hardest parts the raising of the queen and the raising of the brood.once she has workers she is more set but once she's in your care getting her to that point seems to be the big challange.

[Antking117]

I have tetramorium, i got super excited when the first nanitic hatched and threw in a fruit fly. as soon as it darkened it murdered and consumed it.

[Batspiderfish]

Separating anecdotal misinformation from what is usable is a skill necessary for navigating a community with many passionate hobbyists and almost no myrmecologists.

[Bracchymyrmex]

Separating anecdotal misinformation from what is usable is a skill necessary for navigating a community with many passionate hobbyists and almost no myrmecologists.

 

Well said.

[ultraex2]

There isn't really any rule of 3, generally ants don't forage until at least their exoskeletons harden and probably by the time there's about 3 workers is when the first worker's exoskeleton hardens and will start foraging.

[Pleming]

What I noticed is sometimes when I attach an outwoud when the first nanitics arrive they'll try and cover the hole. I usually feed them in the test-tube until the worker count grows and they have no problem with that.

[Mettcollsuss]

I find it best to wait about a week after the first nanitic arrives to feed them. I usually give them a small smear of honey and a cricket leg.