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I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:04 am
by drchigero
My son caught a queen and after some time it had larvae, eventually those hatched, but it's been days and the baby ants haven't developed their exoskeletons and haven't moved. Queen's still alive. Are we doing something wrong?

Re: I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:07 am
by RubyAntKeeper77
Can I get some pics?

They might just be that color. I would need to ID them.

If you wanted to help them you could give them a drop of sugar water.
At the edge of the test tube.

I don’t think you are doing anything wrong.

Re: I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:01 pm
by drchigero
So here is a pic of the queen: https://imgur.com/pv5GsIs

And here are some of the larvae: https://imgur.com/TEkQYXt https://imgur.com/97Uh1f5

To me it looks like they haven't hatched yet, but my son swears he can see legs on them so I dunno.

If they are fine, then how long until we need to move them to a bigger space? Also any idea what kind they are? I'm super hoping they aren't carpenter ants.

Re: I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 5:36 pm
by RubyAntKeeper77
They look like a type of sugar ant.
They should have fairly quick results with the eggs, the eggs are in the final stage before worker.
Here are some references.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/onTBFNfueYM1W41e8

Expect 1-2 weeks or less and the should be workers.

(May take less.)

Re: I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:59 am
by drchigero
Thanks. I couldn't tell what kind of Ant they were.

Re: I'm not sure what's happening.

Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2023 9:19 pm
by SYUTEO
I think they are Formica, they normally produce cocooned pupae but do sometimes produce pupae without cocoons due to certain conditions. Don't worry, this won't affect the ants in any way.