formica delay

[larynx]

could anyone give me some insight as to why my formica sp. queens are the only queens i have that have done absolutely nothing, but sit around in their test tubes?

[MadVampy]

They are waiting on their checks! LoL.

Make sure they are at or around the right temp, undisturbed, and so forth. I have heard some ants can take a while before they feel that the conditions are just right for them.

[Gregory2455]

I have two Formica fusca queens who at their height had 5-7 workers. Sadly the summer heat killed the workers off, and now the queens just sit there. I think one has a small bunch of eggs, but both queens are rather inactive. One of them as a matter of fact did not even lay a single egg until 8 months after I caught her- she was at the point where I needed to feed her like a semi-clausteral queen because she burned all her fat reserves from just sitting around for 8 months at the point she got a worker. Formica, like Camponotus also tend to be less comfortable in all plastic or glass setups than other species and I do suggest having test tube alternates for these two genera during founding.

[larynx]

I have two Formica fusca queens who at their height had 5-7 workers. Sadly the summer heat killed the workers off, and now the queens just sit there. I think one has a small bunch of eggs, but both queens are rather inactive. One of them as a matter of fact did not even lay a single egg until 8 months after I caught her- she was at the point where I needed to feed her like a semi-clausteral queen because she burned all her fat reserves from just sitting around for 8 months at the point she got a worker. Formica, like Camponotus also tend to be less comfortable in all plastic or glass setups than other species and I do suggest having test tube alternates for these two genera during founding.

what alternatives would you recommend? what works for you?

[Gregory2455]

I have two Formica fusca queens who at their height had 5-7 workers. Sadly the summer heat killed the workers off, and now the queens just sit there. I think one has a small bunch of eggs, but both queens are rather inactive. One of them as a matter of fact did not even lay a single egg until 8 months after I caught her- she was at the point where I needed to feed her like a semi-clausteral queen because she burned all her fat reserves from just sitting around for 8 months at the point she got a worker. Formica, like Camponotus also tend to be less comfortable in all plastic or glass setups than other species and I do suggest having test tube alternates for these two genera during founding.

what alternatives would you recommend? what works for you?

I just let them sit there and still feed them on a regular schedule.

[larynx]

I have two Formica fusca queens who at their height had 5-7 workers. Sadly the summer heat killed the workers off, and now the queens just sit there. I think one has a small bunch of eggs, but both queens are rather inactive. One of them as a matter of fact did not even lay a single egg until 8 months after I caught her- she was at the point where I needed to feed her like a semi-clausteral queen because she burned all her fat reserves from just sitting around for 8 months at the point she got a worker. Formica, like Camponotus also tend to be less comfortable in all plastic or glass setups than other species and I do suggest having test tube alternates for these two genera during founding.

what alternatives would you recommend? what works for you?

I just let them sit there and still feed them on a regular schedule.

oh, i thought you meant an alternative to the test tube setup.... nevermind.

[Gregory2455]

I am working on one, but it also reflects my preferences for any formicarium or setup so it may not be for everyone.

[larynx]

I am working on one, but it also reflects my preferences for any formicarium or setup so it may not be for everyone.

do tell.....

[notmyidea]

One of them as a matter of fact did not even lay a single egg until 8 months after I caught her- she was at the point where I needed to feed her like a semi-clausteral queen because she burned all her fat reserves from just sitting around for 8 months at the point she got a worker. Formica, like Camponotus also tend to be less comfortable in all plastic or glass setups than other species and I do suggest having test tube alternates for these two genera during founding.

Well, this makes me feel better. I've had two Formica queens for 2 months now and neither have done anything. I'll hibernate them at the end of the month.