Formica queen died - a worker is now producing eggs

Let us know of your ant colonies or queens that have passed away. We will grieve together but will also learn why your ants may not have succeeded.

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ooper01
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Formica queen died - a worker is now producing eggs

Post: # 8685Post ooper01
Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:24 pm

One of my Formica colonies with about 50 workers lost their queen about 3 months ago. I'm not sure why she died, perhaps old age. I'm not sure how old she was as I collected her with about 25 workers up in the mountains a little over a year ago.

I have still kept the colony and shortly after the queen died, I noticed there was what appeared to be new brood. A few weeks later, some pretty large larva and pupa developed and eventually male alates eclosed. This process has continued, and male alates continue to eclose.

This is what infertile queens/workers give you, male alates. I did find it interesting though that once the queen died, there was a volunteer, or volunteers, to attempt to take over the role of egg layer.
~ ooper

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Re: Formica queen died - a worker is now producing eggs

Post: # 8738Post Aaron567
Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:04 pm

Wow, that's awesome! I didn't think workers were large enough or even had the organs to lay eggs.

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