3 Queens won't lay eggs.

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loupgaroupgris
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Location: Ontario

3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 40948Post loupgaroupgris
Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:53 am

Like the title says I caught 3 queens and they won't lay eggs. I caught them at around the 27 of May so its been a while but even after all this time they have still not layed anything. I only check up on them every two weak so I don't think they are too stress, I also moved them downstairs where there's not a lot of activity yet still nothing. Am I just being impatient or is there something wrong? They also pull on the cotton in the test tube is that normal.


I'm not sure of there species but I think they are one of these.
Tetramorium immigrans
Camponotus novaeboracensis
Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Photo of the ants an the test tube just in case I'm doing something wrong on that.

https://postimg.cc/image/z3x2z2t57/
https://postimg.cc/image/qa66hsizf/
https://postimg.cc/image/6sbj21we3/
https://postimg.cc/image/5ejw6ampn/
https://postimg.cc/image/u7tg73imj/
https://postimg.cc/image/88n1k0jtn/
https://postimg.cc/image/5fttznr3f/
https://postimg.cc/image/5fttzswa3/
https://postimg.cc/image/aehcejaff/
https://postimg.cc/image/ar8qktfvf/

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antnest8
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Re: 3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 40966Post antnest8
Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:39 am

ok so try moving them to a new test tube. they might not be comfortable were they are now so that might be the reason.
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Batspiderfish
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Re: 3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 41014Post Batspiderfish
Fri Jul 13, 2018 3:04 pm

All of the queens imaged are Camponotus. Sometimes when Camponotus queens keep their wings, it is difficult to get them to lay eggs. It's possible that they haven't mated. You might as well hold onto them until you need the test tubes for something else -- if they aren't mated, they are doomed regardless of whether you keep them or release them, but there is always that chance that they are simply waiting.

If you want an ID of the queens, please embed your photographs (making sure that the URL shows only the image, not the site that hosts it). That is a lot of copy-pasting for a volunteer to do.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

loupgaroupgris
Posts: 82
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:04 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: 3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 41104Post loupgaroupgris
Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:29 am

antnest8 wrote:
Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:39 am
ok so try moving them to a new test tube. they might not be comfortable were they are now so that might be the reason.
What could be making them uncomfortable?
Batspiderfish wrote:
Fri Jul 13, 2018 3:04 pm
All of the queens imaged are Camponotus. Sometimes when Camponotus queens keep their wings, it is difficult to get them to lay eggs. It's possible that they haven't mated. You might as well hold onto them until you need the test tubes for something else -- if they aren't mated, they are doomed regardless of whether you keep them or release them, but there is always that chance that they are simply waiting.

If you want an ID of the queens, please embed your photographs (making sure that the URL shows only the image, not the site that hosts it). That is a lot of copy-pasting for a volunteer to do.
How long does it usually take when they wait? How long can a un-mated queen survive for.

PwnerPie
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Re: 3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 41131Post PwnerPie
Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:06 pm

Campnotus can take a very long time, easily could be months. Unmated queens can survive for years, normally not though.
I like to feed my queens honey and a little protien after i catch them so they are happy and full. If she is hungry she is alot less likely to lay eggs! However after that. Leave them alone so they can chill and feel safe!
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TheRealAntMan
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Re: 3 Queens won't lay eggs.

Post: # 41136Post TheRealAntMan
Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:58 pm

PwnerPie wrote:
Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:06 pm
Campnotus can take a very long time, easily could be months. Unmated queens can survive for years, normally not though.
I like to feed my queens honey and a little protien after i catch them so they are happy and full. If she is hungry she is alot less likely to lay eggs! However after that. Leave them alone so they can chill and feel safe!
Actually a hungry Queen will sometimes lay trophic eggs (unfertilized eggs) which she eats when she and/or larvae gets hungry during the founding stage. But it usually never happens.
An ants' strength can be rivaled by few animals compared to relative body size.

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