C. pennsylvanicus larvae developing slowly?

[Northmatrix136]

Hi, would anyone know why my C. Pennsylvanicus larvae are developing slowly? I've had them for about a month and they look like they're still on the 1st instar. Is this normal?

[Antloverhuman]

Are you keeping them in a cold place? Try feeding the queen a very tiny drop of honey

[Northmatrix136]

Thanks for the advice. And yes, now that I come to think of it I have been keeping her in a slightly cold room. The test tube isn't directly exposed to the cold (it's in a fairly warm drawer) but perhaps the room temperature I'm keeping her in isn't ideal for her developing brood. Would it be ok if I warmed the test tube with a 15 watt heating cable?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Thanks for the advice. And yes, now that I come to think of it I have been keeping her in a slightly cold room. The test tube isn't directly exposed to the cold (it's in a fairly warm drawer) but perhaps the room temperature I'm keeping her in isn't ideal for her developing brood. Would it be ok if I warmed the test tube with a 15 watt heating cable?

If you put it near her, not touching the test tube.

[Northmatrix136]

Just checked on her today and fed her a little honey. Also, she seems to have a habit of plucking out chunks of cotton and placing them onto the cotton ball blocking the entrance of her test tube. Have any of you experienced antkeepers seen this happen with your queens? And how long does it normally take for c. pennnsylvanicus larvae to develop? I'm a bit worried because I've had her for over a month already and still no development at all.

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Just checked on her today and fed her a little honey. Also, she seems to have a habit of plucking out chunks of cotton and placing them onto the cotton ball blocking the entrance of her test tube. Have any of you experienced antkeepers seen this happen with your queens? And how long does it normally take for c. pennnsylvanicus larvae to develop? I'm a bit worried because I've had her for over a month already and still no development at all.

Yes, they will pull at Cotten and put it on food items or places where it is too wet. Larvae can take anywhere from 7 days to a little over 30 to develop. Are the eggs turning a different color? This can indicate hatching.

[Northmatrix136]

Thanks for the help, really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I think her eggs died, and I'm just so perplexed by the whole situation. Does this mean she is infertile? I just attached a new test tube to her old one because her's was dirty. Any tips?

[Northmatrix136]

The queen moved into the test tube, so I de-attached the old one and plugged the new one with cotton. She noticed that and started pulling at the cotton. Have I stressed her out?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

The queen moved into the test tube, so I de-attached the old one and plugged the new one with cotton. She noticed that and started pulling at the cotton. Have I stressed her out?

Possibly, but most Camponotus can be raised in light, so unless it was sunlight/temporarily blinding light than she will be okay.

Also, did the eggs rot or disappear?

[Northmatrix136]

Sorry for the really late reply, but yes, the eggs seemed to have gone hard and withered. I checked on her about 2 weeks ago, and she laid a new batch of eggs. This time, they were bigger and white, not yellow. Thanks again for the help.