Unknown possibly parasitic queen death (Need Help Confirming)

Let us know of your ant colonies or queens that have passed away. We will grieve together but will also learn why your ants may not have succeeded.

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liufen001
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 5:59 pm

Unknown possibly parasitic queen death (Need Help Confirming)

Post: # 70181Post liufen001
Thu May 21, 2020 7:50 pm

https://ibb.co/SKXG6cm
https://ibb.co/B2X6gR7
https://ibb.co/RDkRFGL
https://ibb.co/JpBxBpS

A rather confusing death, first three links and you will see the "sesame like parasite" kinda like tapeworm but the last photo is even more confusing, there are larve in the water! possibly from things that used to live in the cotton or may be brought in from the queen itself. Luckly i have 2 more queens.

SkeleAnt
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:51 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Unknown possibly parasitic queen death (Need Help Confirming)

Post: # 70277Post SkeleAnt
Sun May 24, 2020 11:11 am

I’m not sure the species, but those do look like ant parasites possibly from some kind of fly/wasp. I believe they lay their eggs inside the ant queen, then they hatch, grow, and burrow out before spinning cocoons. Do the sesame seed looking things move, or stay still? Are the maggots in the water moving/swimming, or do they appear dead?
2 founding formica subsericea
1 aphaenogaster rudis
1 brachymyrmex depilis
More still founding!

liufen001
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 5:59 pm

Re: Unknown possibly parasitic queen death (Need Help Confirming)

Post: # 70292Post liufen001
Sun May 24, 2020 2:20 pm

I kept the test tube "for science", and found that the yellow things don't move, at least not visibly. The maggots appear to be dead and are not moving niether.

SkeleAnt
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:51 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Unknown possibly parasitic queen death (Need Help Confirming)

Post: # 71114Post SkeleAnt
Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:06 pm

Sounds like they followed the closest source of moisture and then ended up in the water and died. At least they can’t take the lives of any more queens.
2 founding formica subsericea
1 aphaenogaster rudis
1 brachymyrmex depilis
More still founding!

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