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Hi there
I have a trap jaw ant colony of about 10-20 workers. However, their queen died recently . Does anyone know if they will produce a gamergate or a new queen? Also, will they accept a foreign queen ant as their own queen ant so that their colony will not die off? Thanks!

BugBoy wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:21 am

Hi there
I have a trap jaw ant colony of about 10-20 workers. However, their queen died recently . Does anyone know if they will produce a gamergate or a new queen? Also, will they accept a foreign queen ant as their own queen ant so that their colony will not die off? Thanks!

There are very few ant species capable of producing a gamergate (which excludes Odontomachus). No ant colony can produce a new queen, and they will likely attack another queen you may introduce to them. I’m sorry, but you will need to find another queen and start over. (If your colony has any brood left, perhaps you could brood boost the new queen.)

Hi
I put a new queen into the formicarium and the workers started cleaning her and guided her into the nest. I found no evidence of her dead body. Could they have accepted her? I am not sure as they will not accept foreign queens and yet they guided her into the nest.
Thanks

BugBoy wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:51 am

Hi
I put a new queen into the formicarium and the workers started cleaning her and guided her into the nest. I found no evidence of her dead body. Could they have accepted her? I am not sure as they will not accept foreign queens and yet they guided her into the nest.
Thanks

Since they were 'queen-less' there is a chance they accepted her as the new queen, as they wouldn't have perceived her as a threat. Especially if they as you said cleaned her and guided her into the nest, they might have welcomed her with open arms. You will however just have to be patient to find out I am afraid...

I really hope they have accepted her

You must start all over with a new queen.

Any update on this?

BugBoy wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:51 am

Hi
I put a new queen into the formicarium and the workers started cleaning her and guided her into the nest. I found no evidence of her dead body. Could they have accepted her? I am not sure as they will not accept foreign queens and yet they guided her into the nest.
Thanks

How is your colony doing now? Have they accepted the queen?

Hey guys, apologies for the late reply. Hope this message finds y'all well! The colony is no longer with me but I remember they accepted the new queen!

BugBoy wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 15, 2022 3:45 am

Hey guys, apologies for the late reply. Hope this message finds y'all well! The colony is no longer with me but I remember they accepted the new queen!

Well, a very late update but good! Unfortunately I think everyone who replied to your post are no longer active on this forum, not sure if they quit antkeeping or left to a different forum, only a few users are actually active here. Have you got a new colony now?