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Can a Queen live without workers?

lasius niger hibernation queen dead workers

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Roy - Posted March 26 2018 - 1:40 PM

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Hi, I have brought my Lasius Niger colony out of hibernation and now have only two workers (I did have 21). I will look into what I did wrong while they were in hibernation but for now, as I only have two workers and they have not come out of their formicarium to feed, i'm wondering if the queen will survive and why they have not come out to feed. I'm also wondering if I can introduce new workers to the tiny colony?



#2 Offline ZllGGY - Posted March 26 2018 - 1:44 PM

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yes and no the queen can survive without workers. depends on how long she's been out of the founding stage. while some peoples colonies I've seen have gone through 2 or 3 attempts she will eventually run out of reserves and you may have to put food in her setup to help her. introducing workers is possible but is very unlikely to happen, if she needs new brood then i would look for a similar species matureish colony and poke around for some of their brood/pupae and give her those as she is more willing to accept those than already matured workers


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Colonies:

 

Founding:

Camponotus cf. Modoc

Camponotus cf. Herculeanus

 

Dream Ants:

 

Stenamma Diecki

Solenopsis Molesta

Manica Invidia

Camponotus Herculeanus

Lasius Latipes

Dorymyrmex Pyramicus

Tapinoma Sessile


#3 Offline Zmagz - Posted March 26 2018 - 9:03 PM

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Yeah, I recommend that you don't give her new workers and that you give her brood of another Lasius niger colony. If you can't do that, then I guess just feed them and try to get them back to where they were.



#4 Offline Enderz - Posted March 26 2018 - 9:19 PM

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Good luck with this predicament, I would do as others have told you ant look for some Lasius brood nearby to put in with her.


:morning:  :hot:  :hot:  :hot:

Ex igne et in infernum. 


#5 Offline Roy - Posted March 27 2018 - 12:02 PM

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Many thanks everyone for your feedback. I have moved the small formicarium into the arena where the food is. I will keep an eye on them and see what happens.



#6 Offline PwnerPie - Posted March 28 2018 - 8:53 AM

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Many thanks everyone for your feedback. I have moved the small formicarium into the arena where the food is. I will keep an eye on them and see what happens.

 

If there are only 2 workers, put the food into the formicarium/test tube directly. WIth that few workers, I doubt they will explore as they can't risk losing another one. Get the food (honey and protein, like meal worms) as close to them as possible. Even if it disrupts them, its fine, they'll get over it.


Keeper of:
1x Formica Pacifica
2x Camponotus Modoc
1x Tetramorium Immigrans
2x Lasius Sp
 
Founding:
3x Lasius Sp
2x Formica Argentea
2x Myrmica Rubra
 
GAN Farmer: 4 Colonies sold
Goal: Supply school science classes with colonies for learning.





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: lasius niger, hibernation, queen, dead workers

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