So I found a queen the other night at my workplace, but I had nothing on me to keep her in. I usually take test tubes to work with me just I case, but I forgot to that day. Go figure. So I held her in my hand and went into our office to search for something. I tried an empty Gatorade bottle, but it was to wet for her and she got her wings stuck to the bottle. So I ripped open a keurig cup. I put her inside and tried taping a piece of paper on top. As I was doing this, I noticed she had gotten out and was crawling on my leg. So I picked her back up, got her in and taped it shut. After this I was really hoping I hadn't squished her in the process or that she had slipped out again and I hadn't noticed. I so wanted to peek and try to see. But I didn't. Got the cup home, tore it open and she appeared fine. I got her into a test tube without any problems and tucked her away into a closet.
So this story leads me to my question. Have you ever accidentally killed a queen when trying to capture her?
Accidental death of a queen?
Moderator: ooper01
Re: Accidental death of a queen?
Pretty sure I injured my first Camponotus queen. I had a small container, I put the container over her as she tried to run. In the process her head ended up under the rim. She seemed fine when I put her in the test tube, she died the next day. I felt really bad about the whole ordeal .
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Accidental death of a queen?
Camponotus queens frequently fall prey to parasitic flies, so it may not have been your fault. If you keep the body for a few days, you'll often see that her gaster is full of fly larvae.Varanid wrote:Pretty sure I injured my first Camponotus queen. I had a small container, I put the container over her as she tried to run. In the process her head ended up under the rim. She seemed fine when I put her in the test tube, she died the next day. I felt really bad about the whole ordeal .
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
Re: Accidental death of a queen?
When i contained my queen in a test tube, i did not check on her for a month, because i was scared to disturbe her, and it turned out that mold has taken over it and she was tungled up in it with her larvae and dead. Now i check on em 2ice a week!
Re: Accidental death of a queen?
Yes I have killed a couple queens by accident It is un-avoidable.
With all the things ants can do, you wonder, who rules the planet
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus
Pheidole sp.
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus
Pheidole sp.
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