Carpenter advice

[Angelants2012]

Hello everybody I am having some troubles with my camponotus pennsylvanicus queen ant. She has not layed a single egg since I caught her. It has almost been a week and there was no sign of her laying eggs. I think I am disturbing her too much. She also has no sign of wings, but she seems unfertile. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

[RubyAntKeeper77]

I think she infertile. Better luck next time.

[Angelants2012]

Thank you! I'll try better luck next time.

[jakew102938]

It might be because she's waiting until after hibernation. Is she missing her wings? If so, she is probably fertile and just waiting until the spring to lay eggs. Around this time, ants are going to start going into hibernation/diapause and if you catch her this late, she won't have enough time to raise her brood before she starts to slow down due to the temperatures. I caught mine in June and she only has larvae. However, if she still has her wings, that's typically a sign of her not being mated. But, there are always irregularities. If she is fertile, she probably won't lay eggs until after the winter. So I'd say give it until the spring.

[Angelants2012]

Thank you for the help! Also, when should I start hibernating her?

[Angelants2012]

Bad news everybody, she died a few months ago. Sorry for the late update I was very busy.