Queen not laying eggs?

[Ejjsne]

I've had my colony for about a month and a half now and recently, I've noticed that the queen doesn't seem to be laying any eggs. There are 2 larvae still developing in their test tube and they are growing fine, but I haven't noticed any new eggs. The colony is about 30 ants strong and while I haven't been feeding them protein recently, I've given them a dead spider about 4 days ago and sugar water to go with it. My ants are also not drinking water from their test tubes it seems, a problem that arose when I changed out their water test tube cause it was growing mold. I don't know what to do.

The species is Formica Fusca btw.

[JaydenScheepers]

I've had my colony for about a month and a half now and recently, I've noticed that the queen doesn't seem to be laying any eggs. There are 2 larvae still developing in their test tube and they are growing fine, but I haven't noticed any new eggs. The colony is about 30 ants strong and while I haven't been feeding them protein recently, I've given them a dead spider about 4 days ago and sugar water to go with it. My ants are also not drinking water from their test tubes it seems, a problem that arose when I changed out their water test tube cause it was growing mold. I don't know what to do.

The species is Formica Fusca btw.

So they are currently being housed inside a test tube, is that right?

[antperson24]

I've had my colony for about a month and a half now and recently, I've noticed that the queen doesn't seem to be laying any eggs. There are 2 larvae still developing in their test tube and they are growing fine, but I haven't noticed any new eggs. The colony is about 30 ants strong and while I haven't been feeding them protein recently, I've given them a dead spider about 4 days ago and sugar water to go with it. My ants are also not drinking water from their test tubes it seems, a problem that arose when I changed out their water test tube cause it was growing mold. I don't know what to do.

The species is Formica Fusca btw.

Formica fusca wont hibernate with brood, so this is perfectly natural.

[Ejjsne]

Are they hibernating? I haven't really introduced them to a colder environment yet. They are still in their test tubes with a small outworld and an ac portal connected.

[JaydenScheepers]

Are they hibernating? I haven't really introduced them to a colder environment yet. They are still in their test tubes with a small outworld and an ac portal connected.

I don't have hibernating species nor do I live in a place where ants need to hibernate, but I think they have an internal clock that tells them when their supposed to prep for hibernation.

[antperson24]

Are they hibernating? I haven't really introduced them to a colder environment yet. They are still in their test tubes with a small outworld and an ac portal connected.

They probably aren’t hibernating yet, but they are probably preparing to. In early November you should put them in a refrigerator at 40 deg. F. Until March.

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Are they hibernating? I haven't really introduced them to a colder environment yet. They are still in their test tubes with a small outworld and an ac portal connected.

They probably aren’t hibernating yet, but they are probably preparing to. In early November you should put them in a refrigerator at 40 deg. F. Until March.

I put my subsericea in yesterday. If they have full gasters and little brood, you can hibernate them now.

[antperson24]

Are they hibernating? I haven't really introduced them to a colder environment yet. They are still in their test tubes with a small outworld and an ac portal connected.

They probably aren’t hibernating yet, but they are probably preparing to. In early November you should put them in a refrigerator at 40 deg. F. Until March.

I put my subsericea in yesterday. If they have full gasters and little brood, you can hibernate them now.

Ok, would it be better to hibernate sooner than later, or does it really matter?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

They probably aren’t hibernating yet, but they are probably preparing to. In early November you should put them in a refrigerator at 40 deg. F. Until March.

I put my subsericea in yesterday. If they have full gasters and little brood, you can hibernate them now.

Ok, would it be better to hibernate sooner than later, or does it really matter?

If they have almost 0 brood(if they have plenty of brood normally) then it is safe to put them in diapause. Timing really doesn’t matter though.