Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

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Micmanisenchicken

Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 25817Post Micmanisenchicken
Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:43 pm

Is it possible for workers to latch on to elates before they fly off?
I found a queen, put her in a test tube and a couple days later found a worker in the same test tube. I can't figure out how the worker got in there. Any ideas?

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Aquaexploder
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 25841Post Aquaexploder
Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:10 pm

No clue, but my best guess is that you collected the worker by accident when collecting the queen. If I were you I would separate them.
Founding:

Crematogaster (2X)

Lasius Neoniger (2X)

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ACaseoftheMondays
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 25878Post ACaseoftheMondays
Thu Jul 20, 2017 9:29 pm

A stowaway.
Founding:
Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis
Solenopsis Molesta
Formica Argentea
Lasius Flavus
Colonies:
Tetramorium sp.E

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Batspiderfish
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 25899Post Batspiderfish
Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:13 pm

Yes, this happens every once in a while, especially with small species like the Solenopsis thief ants. The extra worker should be a boon to your queen.
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.

Hunter36o
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 40594Post Hunter36o
Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:31 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:13 pm
Yes, this happens every once in a while, especially with small species like the Solenopsis thief ants. The extra worker should be a boon to your queen.
Really? Would it not stress her out? The worker may be a sister I get that but would the worker be of use to the queen and not a burdon?
I have never spotted this as a question before so I find it really interesting.
Research is important before during and even after you have established a colony. There is always time to learn and to listen to others experiences. Live by this and your ants will thrive. Fail to do so and your experience may be brief.

AntsDakota
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 47486Post AntsDakota
Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:41 pm

If they don't fight I would keep them together, because she would be a great help to the queen while raising her workers. Although I would recommend feeding them through the founding stage so the queen doesn't have to use any extra wing muscle to feed that worker.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

AntsDakota
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Re: Do workers latch on to elates before they fly off?

Post: # 47487Post AntsDakota
Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:42 pm

Another possible scenario is that the worker started attacking the queen after she mated and you picked her up and the worker let go in the test tube.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

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