The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Thanks for the info and advice. There are several rubra nests near by so I will be able to try adding queens each year.

Quick question, but I read that a myrmica rubra has a lifespan of 2-3 years. If this is the case how long does a a captive colony last? I understand that in the wild queens are replaced by other queens following nuptial flights as the species are polygynous. But how can this happen in a captive setup?

Thanks batspiderfish, I’ll definitley be keeping them separate, given the advice on here as I’ve no interest in harming them.

That’s interesting, these have yellow/orange legs.

Thanks for the response, I think you are right and it was a trick of the light that highlighted the bands more.

Thanks again for your help

Cheers, I’ll keep them separate then as I don’t want either to come to harm needlessly. I guess I could sell the one in a year or so

Thanks for the advice

Can I please get some advice on this subject please as I’ve found it very difficult to get a definitive answer through research. I have two fusca queens in test tube set ups and both have laid their first batch of eggs. I know these are a polygynous species and i only have space for one fornicarium ...

I found this queen along with around 15 others after a niger nuptial. Whilst it’s not massively clear in the picture it is different to the rest in that it has distinct yellow bands around it’s gastor compared to the others. Otherwise size location and time were the same. Having never caught one bef...

Forgot to say this was caught in early July in Suffolk England. Apologies for the pic quality I used my phones camera.

Hi, first time posting and first year collecting ants I think this is a fusca queen but having difficulty discerning lasius niger from fuscas. Any assistance would be really appreciated.