Messor Barbarus Queen

Questions from those who are just starting or considering getting into the ant keeping hobby. If you’re intimidated or confused by the in-depth posts of the other sections of this forum, feel free to post here, and we'll start from square one!

Moderator: ooper01

Post Reply
M4M1K3
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 4:57 pm

Messor Barbarus Queen

Post: # 54421Post M4M1K3
Wed Dec 05, 2018 5:34 pm

Hi guys!

I've recently got myself a Harvester Queen and I'm waiting for her to lay her eggs. I've checked on her a couple of times now but only briefly as I don't want to disturb her too much and I'm sure I can see an egg being carried in her mandibles, has anyone else experienced this?

User avatar
UnrealSparks
Posts: 192
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:45 pm
Location: Turin - Italy

Re: Messor Barbarus Queen

Post: # 54453Post UnrealSparks
Fri Dec 07, 2018 2:55 am

Hi!
Do you live in a temperate region? Because if so she should be in hibernation right now, meaning she will not have any worker until spring.

When winter comes, late nuptial flights can have two different outcomes:

1. The queen after mating lays her eggs and waits until February/March (when temperatures will rise again) to have her eggs develop into workers.

2. The queen doesn't lay any egg until spring to preserve her energies.

During this hibernation period she should stay at around 15°C and no food is required, just moisture.

If you need more informations just ask, I have Messors myself. ;)
Keeping the following colonies:
  • [2x] Camponotus Barbaricus
  • [2x] Lasius Flavus

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests