Hi everyone,
So I have my collection of eight queens that I've been keeping since September. My seven Lasius neoniger queens are pictured here: http://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1754
and my Solenopsis molesta is pictured here: http://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1681
Now, I read that these species like to sleep through fall and winter and start laying in spring, so I've kept them in a dark, cool closet, patiently waiting for them to be ready, checking on them every month or two to make sure they're still alive and well. They all still have quite a bit of water left, and each appear to be fine, even walking around a little bit when I turn on the light a little bit to peek at them. They've removed their wings as well, which I hear is often a good sign of fertility. However, I still haven't seen any eggs, let alone workers. Is this normal? Outside temperatures are averaging in the mid-50s in my area, with some days hitting the mid-70s, so it seems like spring has sprung. I was told that the ants would naturally "know" this, and would begin laying shortly before spring started.
However, I'm beginning to have doubts. Is it normal for these species to still not have any eggs at this point? Have any of your Lasius queens begun laying yet?
Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
Moderator: ooper01
Re: Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
They should lay eggs soon. Keep them in the dark for a week or two. That's how long it took for my Crematogaster to lay eggs after diapause.
Keeper of
Selliing:
Selliing:
Re: Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
Okay, I'll keep being patient! They're in my closet and their test tubes are covered by a washcloth, just to be extra sure that they're in as much darkness as possible.
- idahoantgirl
- Posts: 1521
- Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
- Location: Idaho, USA
Re: Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
My lasius neoniger queen that i caught last year just now laid eggs yesterday. yOu can expect to see them start soon.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile
-
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:22 am
- Location: New York, NY
Re: Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
Any eggs?JacobSyndeo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2017 8:46 pmOkay, I'll keep being patient! They're in my closet and their test tubes are covered by a washcloth, just to be extra sure that they're in as much darkness as possible.
Check out my YouTube channel, Arman's Ants.
https://***/armansants
Also feel free to check out the Discord server, Ant-Keeping & Ethology:
https://discord.me/ants
https://***/armansants
Also feel free to check out the Discord server, Ant-Keeping & Ethology:
https://discord.me/ants
Re: Lasius Neoniger Egg-Laying Time?
Not to bump, but yes! 3 of my original 8 queens managed to survive and start colonies.CreeperUniverse wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:42 amAny eggs?JacobSyndeo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2017 8:46 pmOkay, I'll keep being patient! They're in my closet and their test tubes are covered by a washcloth, just to be extra sure that they're in as much darkness as possible.
They're each 20-25 workers strong… but unfortunately aren't eating right now. I started a thread about that issue here: http://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=4628
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