Camponotus colony making a major already?

[AntsDakota]

They only have 5 workers, but there is a super huge larva.

[antnest8]

could be a reproductive

[ClashOwenBash]

Still that is odd. What Camponotus sp is it?

[AntsOfOntario]

I'd have to disagree. I think that the colony he's referring to is his Camponotus Penn. and I can personally say that they don't have to be in their second year to produce mini majors. They won't appear anywhere close to full size but you will know when you have one due to their size. (Head and abdomen) Small colonies can produce these and use them as storage tanks. I've seen this from experience as my colony is not even 2 months old (since their first worker) and they've already produced two small ones. They immediately filled them up with honey and their abdomens seem to be bursting from the seems.

I think this is useful because during hibernation the more food they can reserve the better.

Once a colony receives consistent amounts of food that are packed with nutrients there's no doubting they have the capability to produce a major. I also don't believe that a queen would produce 5 workers and then decide to develop a reproductive.

Hope this helped.

[antnest8]

I'd have to disagree. I think that the colony he's referring to is his Camponotus Penn. and I can personally say that they don't have to be in their second year to produce mini majors. They won't appear anywhere close to full size but you will know when you have one due to their size. (Head and abdomen) Small colonies can produce these and use them as storage tanks. I've seen this from experience as my colony is not even 2 months old (since their first worker) and they've already produced two small ones. They immediately filled them up with honey and their abdomens seem to be bursting from the seems.

I think this is useful because during hibernation the more food they can reserve the better.

Once a colony receives consistent amounts of food that are packed with nutrients there's no doubting they have the capability to produce a major. I also don't believe that a queen would produce 5 workers and then decide to develop a reproductive.

Hope this helped.

i just assumed super huge meant super huge

[AntsDakota]

Yes, it's Camponotus pennsylvanicus, but it's way too small to be a queen elate. And by the way, the queen ate it.

[ClashOwenBash]

Yes, it's Camponotus pennsylvanicus, but it's way too small to be a queen elate. And by the way, the queen ate it.

she obviously didn't like it.

[AntsDakota]

Yes, it's Camponotus pennsylvanicus, but it's way too small to be a queen elate. And by the way, the queen ate it.

she obviously didn't like it.

[Hunter36o]

Is it possible for a queen to make a fake major or alate to make up for a lack of protein?

Or even is it possible they previously had enough food to support a "mini major?" But the conditions changed and she deemed it necessary to consume it rather then let it die?

Sorry but I have zero experience with these ants as they do not populate Ireland.