4 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hiya!
I did my daily hibernation check only to find a HUGE clump of eggs and newly molted pupae in my tetramorium colony tube. Since I'm not supposed to let them hibernate with eggs or pupae, should I just have them skip the winter hibernation and have them hibernate during the summer?

[sgheaton]

You'll still want to let them hibernate. 

 

Think about it like this, replace the word "hibernation" with "preventative maintenance." 

 

EX.

-The ants would benefit from "changing their fluids, rotating their tires, etc"  and will most likely operate better next year because of it.

--While you could continue to ride them, they will have a much higher chance of crash'n'burning, because they "are using last years tires, old fluids, never got the chance to rest."

[noebl1]

I believe eggs are fine for hibernation.

 

She may be laying a large amount of eggs for the post-hibernation work force.  I just started year 2 hibernation of my Tetramorium (2 colonies), and both have a large pile of eggs and larvae.  They did last year at this time too.  

 

Edit:  Worst case you can wait a week or two more for the new workers to finish eclosing and hibernate them.

Edited by noebl1, November 10 2017 - 11:23 AM.

[MegaMyrmex]

The same happened to me but I tjink I'll try reverse hibernation, since there is a huge pile of pupae.

[Connectimyrmex]

Sounds good guys! Thanks!