Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

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Butterstuff
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Joined: Sun May 02, 2021 5:29 pm
Location: Alabama

Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

Post: # 77794Post Butterstuff
Thu May 20, 2021 2:22 pm

I hope this is the correct spot to ask, I was just curious if there's any research on whether or not new queens will mate with males from their own colonies during nuptial flights, or if they specifically seek out males from other colonies(or vice versa since I think the males will fly to the nests) or if that even matters at all with genes.

I actually have no idea if 'inbreeding' is a thing with bugs or not, as in that it can cause problems and deformity, weakness, ect, though I'm kinda assuming no on that? I've certainly never heard of inbreeding being a thing with bugs, I'm guessing they just lack the type of DNA where that matters and would cause issue, but at the same time, I really don't know so I thought I'd ask since trying to Google it didn't pull up anything related for me!

Tharrington
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Location: Kalispell

Re: Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

Post: # 77800Post Tharrington
Thu May 20, 2021 4:45 pm

I watched a video yesterday that stated the new queens will mate with males from other colonies to mix up their genes and to avoid inbreeding, whether that's true or not for all types, I am not sure.

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AM1C39
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Re: Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

Post: # 77804Post AM1C39
Thu May 20, 2021 5:03 pm

Some do and some don't, it deepens on the species of ant. For example black crazy ants inbreed and camponotus don't.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]

AntLuvForever
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Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:54 pm
Location: Troy, Michigan

Re: Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

Post: # 77805Post AntLuvForever
Thu May 20, 2021 5:21 pm

Yes, and please note that if you have say: 3-4 colonies of the same species, you can breed them together and make more fertilized queens. You can continue this process forever and can keep or release the queens you choose.
Ant Colonies I Own :

(Prenolepis imparis)--Subzero

(Tetramorium immigrans)--The Concrete Angles

(Formica neogagates)--The Unyielding Legion

Butterstuff
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 02, 2021 5:29 pm
Location: Alabama

Re: Will new queens mate with males from the same colony?

Post: # 77864Post Butterstuff
Fri May 21, 2021 3:53 pm

That's very cool to hear! Thanks for the replies!

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