7 replies to this topic

[CoolColJ]

What the hell.....my humilior queen laid 3 eggs in the last 3 weeks, then two eggs disappeared over the course of that time.
I thought the queen was eating them. Well I just saw 3 workers sharing the last egg between themselves....!
When they were almost done the queen came over to take a look, but did nothing.
I've been feeding them as well!

click for larger


yummy


this tastes good


Queen, you get left overs

Edited by CoolColJ, May 19 2018 - 1:36 AM.

[Serafine]

Possible causes:

- The eggs were trophic eggs destined to be eaten

- The eggs were accidentally unfertilized and disposed by the workers (young colonies usually do not raise males)

- Your workers lack nutrition and you need to feed them more and different stuff (try spiders)

- You disturbed them too often so they ate the eggs to protect their resources in case they have to relocate

Edited by Serafine, May 19 2018 - 4:02 AM.

[T.C.]

I'm not sure if it's because by the time you took the picture they had been chewing on it, but it looks really rough in the first picture.

[CoolColJ]

I'm not sure if it's because by the time you took the picture they had been chewing on it, but it looks really rough in the first picture.

 

Yeah I only noticed after they had been going a while

Earlier in the day a single worker was taking care of it, it looked fine.

[CoolColJ]

So apparently there is another reason for the egg eating...

 

 

 

you will find that some species will eat their eggs over winter this is common and its like having a food larder in house. Camponotus Consobrinus are noted for doing this and our observations confirm this, especially in the larger colonies

[CoolColJ]

Having moved them out of the red transparent test tube rack, and Blu tacking them outside on my desk next to a Pheidole test tube, the queen must be fairly happy with things as she laid a whole new egg sometime last night!

After they ate the last 3 and all of their eggs, I had given up hope.

I gave them 3/4 of a small wood roach, and they have been munching on it for a few days now, so they that helps.

 

But their test tube is not covered from light at all, only a small piece of red cellophane wrap loosely drapped over one side of the test tube.

So I guess the it's not the ambient light so much that bothers them, but having a constant stable environment more so.

The Pheidole colony next door is exposed to light pretty much all the time, and the queen is laying eggs.

I in fact saw an egg stuck on the queen's gaster for a while a few days ago

 

So I did plan to release these ants, but now emotionally, I am uncertain I want to do so.

Sigh...

[YsTheAnt]

For ants like melophorus, and some Camponotus, it's best to check on them just twice a week (unless you use red cellophane). Also, they may not keep much brood until it gets warmer in Australia, so don't be worried if they eat their egg, they will lay more next summer .

[CoolColJ]

Queen laid another egg today, actually saw her curl over, so that's probably when she did it. So back up to 2 eggs now.

Didn't think they lay around this time with winter approaching, but if she is, she must be content. Still have them Blu tacked out in the open on my desk, with just a small piece of red cellophane drapped over on one side, but they are still exposed to light.

This works better than having them covered up and exposing them to check up, and freaking them out

Edited by CoolColJ, June 2 2018 - 4:54 PM.