Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Formica queen coming out of initial hibernation - feed her?


  • Please log in to reply
5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline ooper - Posted March 7 2018 - 10:47 PM

ooper

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts

My understanding of Formica queens is that they are fully claustral and nearly always hibernate their first winter before laying their first batch of eggs. (Please correct me if I'm wrong) I plan on taking a few Formica queens that I collected late last Fall out of hibernation now. Wondering if I should provide a food source to a fully claustral queen coming out of her first hibernation??

Thanks!



#2 Offline Ants4fun - Posted March 8 2018 - 6:44 AM

Ants4fun

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,142 posts
  • LocationSouth Dakota
You can if you want, but it's not necessary. I actually had most of my Formica queens raise nanitics before hibernation. If they are caught later in the season, they might choose to hibernate first however.
  • ooper likes this

#3 Offline ooper - Posted March 8 2018 - 7:39 AM

ooper

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts

You can if you want, but it's not necessary. I actually had most of my Formica queens raise nanitics before hibernation. If they are caught later in the season, they might choose to hibernate first however.

Yeah mine chose to hibernate. By the way, what do you feed your Formica colonies?



#4 Offline Ants4fun - Posted March 8 2018 - 7:45 AM

Ants4fun

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,142 posts
  • LocationSouth Dakota
I actually had to get rid of all my colonies for a few reasons, but I found my Formica liked fruit flies and hummingbird nectar.
  • ooper likes this

#5 Offline notmyidea - Posted March 8 2018 - 10:22 AM

notmyidea

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 21 posts
  • LocationVictoria, BC, Canada

I keep Formica. I typically don't feed them till the nanitics emerge. Then they'll eat vigorously. My Formicas go crazy for fruit flies and honey water.


  • ooper likes this

#6 Offline Will230145 - Posted March 8 2018 - 5:28 PM

Will230145

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 192 posts
  • LocationGrove City, Pennsylvania
Mine go crazy for mealworms and cooked pure chicken with NOTHING on it!
  • ooper likes this




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users