Mold infestation and brood died

[deandam]

hello, we're starting a colony but the test tube got a mould infestation and the brood all died. it happened over the course of 2 days. the queen is still alive. is it possible she will lay more eggs now that she's been moved to a new test tube or should she be released?

[antperson24]

hello, we're starting a colony but the test tube got a mould infestation and the brood all died. it happened over the course of 2 days. the queen is still alive. is it possible she will lay more eggs now that she's been moved to a new test tube or should she be released?

Most of the time (in my experience) she will lays eggs again, so I would hold on to her for a few weeks and see what happens.

[deandam]

Thank you! We were hoping someone would say that! We started feeding her since she's likely starving. We gave her some honey and a fruit fly and she gobbled both up in record time. We were careful and used a small piece of aluminium foil, and only gave her a pinhead of honey. We'll feed her again tomorrow.

[antperson24]

Thank you! We were hoping someone would say that! We started feeding her since she's likely starving. We gave her some honey and a fruit fly and she gobbled both up in record time. We were careful and used a small piece of aluminium foil, and only gave her a pinhead of honey. We'll feed her again tomorrow.

Well, unless she is semi claustral (witch means she needs food during the founding stage) you should not need to feed her again, if you could post a picture of her by linking it on google photos or another photo sharing website that would be helpful. That way we can help you know whether or not she is semi claustral.

[deandam]

Thanks! Here's a picture: https://twitter.com/carlosrbecker/status/1551236096654188548?s=20&t=9zBRuW8yQJN2AVAc4L_yFQ

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Thanks! Here's a picture: https://twitter.com/carlosrbecker/status/1551236096654188548?s=20&t=9zBRuW8yQJN2AVAc4L_yFQ

Looks like Lasius sp. to me, how big is she? It could be Formica sp., but they are quite jumpy and active. Both are fully claustral so you should refrain from feeding her until she has sizable larvae or pupae.

[antperson24]

Thanks! Here's a picture: https://twitter.com/carlosrbecker/status/1551236096654188548?s=20&t=9zBRuW8yQJN2AVAc4L_yFQ

Ya, I would say Formica because she seems to be larger than Lasius but either way both are fully claustral so they fast during the founding stage. If you could tell us the size that would help us tell between Lasius and Formica. Within 6-8 weeks she should have her first worker.
By the way, the way I am measuring her is in relationship to the test tube, so not too exact!