Myrmica rubra colony lifespan

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Macatak
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 4:57 am
Location: Uk

Myrmica rubra colony lifespan

Post: # 41362Post Macatak
Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:54 am

Quick question, but I read that a myrmica rubra has a lifespan of 2-3 years. If this is the case how long does a a captive colony last? I understand that in the wild queens are replaced by other queens following nuptial flights as the species are polygynous. But how can this happen in a captive setup?
Founding

2x Lasius Niger
2x Messor Barbarus
2x Formica Fusca
2x Lasius Flavus
3x Myrmica Rubra

ClashOwenBash
Posts: 189
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:58 am
Location: Oxfordshire, England

Re: Myrmica rubra colony lifespan

Post: # 42000Post ClashOwenBash
Sun Jul 22, 2018 11:35 am

Macatak wrote:
Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:54 am
Quick question, but I read that a myrmica rubra has a lifespan of 2-3 years. If this is the case how long does a a captive colony last? I understand that in the wild queens are replaced by other queens following nuptial flights as the species are polygynous. But how can this happen in a captive setup?
They do naturally live longer in captivity however I've always forgotten which queen is which so can't tell you an exact age of any of my previous colonies queens. I tend to found Myrmica colonies using multiple queens and sometimes drop an extra Myrmica queen into the formicarium to then naturally enter the nest (once the Myrmica colony has matured).
On top of this some ant species's elates mate just before a nuptial flight and so often end up never leaving the nest. AntsCanada's Dark knight colony did this and now has lots of queens instead of the original two!

I personally like being able to add an extra queen every year as I can still enjoy nuptial flights even if I don't have the space to found any more colonies as I can just go looking for a queen to add to my polygyne colony :D
Ant-keeper going into his 4th year of loving ants!

Macatak
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 4:57 am
Location: Uk

Re: Myrmica rubra colony lifespan

Post: # 42121Post Macatak
Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:27 am

Thanks for the info and advice. There are several rubra nests near by so I will be able to try adding queens each year.
Founding

2x Lasius Niger
2x Messor Barbarus
2x Formica Fusca
2x Lasius Flavus
3x Myrmica Rubra

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