Ant Queen and Workers ID, SW Louisiana

[Kytrid]

Found this queen and a clutch of eggs at the end of July/beginning of August about 50 miles north of Lake Charles, Louisiana. I found her in a sealed chamber in the soil under a fist-sized rock. She's laid a second clutch of eggs now. They seem uninterested in animal/insect protein and starchy seeds, and willingly take honey. She's approximately 12-13 mm (1/2") in length.

Sorry the photos suck, I only had my phone cam, and my light was bad.

Any ideas?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkd3MwRHF0SkNTc2VxM2VnYkduQUk0Sy1DN244
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkbGFlQVlOZ1FQU01UY0hiZ1lpSjdIamZJOHhV
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkZVhoQzI3bUpPaElIOEUyUEdldU5UX21Velgw
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkOEFIdWZRRy1aOXV2c3A2anNqZXd4ZnRHenZF
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkVVN4V2xrblZHYTYxNFlrdm01bHFobzlQQ1dZ

[UnrealSparks]

Definitely Camponotus sp., not sure about the sub-species though, since I'm not from the US. I'll have to dig some more.

[Kytrid]

Given your suggestion, I'm guessing it's Camponotus castaneus, based on comparisons of my workers to photos on AntWeb. I've never seen this species here.

It makes me wonder why they've shown no interest in food that my C. pennsylvanicus guys like. At this point, we're having the first cool (50s-60s f) weather for fall, and they've lost interest in food altogether for the moment.

Thanks for your help!

[UnrealSparks]

I'm guessing it's Camponotus castaneus. I've never seen this species here.

Well, I've checked on another site (Antmaps.org) and it says Camponotus castaneus is actually present in Louisiana, so you should be right!

About the food I've noticed with my colonies that the younger they are, the more stubborn and picky are too. Give them time and see if anything changes. Once there'll be many more workers they'll need more nutrients, hence forcing them to accept a wider range of goodies.

And also, they may be ready for hibernation now. Do you know how it works? Or is it the first time?

[Hawkeye]

Found this queen and a clutch of eggs at the end of July/beginning of August about 50 miles north of Lake Charles, Louisiana. I found her in a sealed chamber in the soil under a fist-sized rock. She's laid a second clutch of eggs now. They seem uninterested in animal/insect protein and starchy seeds, and willingly take honey. She's approximately 12-13 mm (1/2") in length.

Sorry the photos suck, I only had my phone cam, and my light was bad.

Any ideas?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkd3MwRHF0SkNTc2VxM2VnYkduQUk0Sy1DN244
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkbGFlQVlOZ1FQU01UY0hiZ1lpSjdIamZJOHhV
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkZVhoQzI3bUpPaElIOEUyUEdldU5UX21Velgw
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkOEFIdWZRRy1aOXV2c3A2anNqZXd4ZnRHenZF
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_3HBldXBjCkVVN4V2xrblZHYTYxNFlrdm01bHFobzlQQ1dZ

Starting colonies will neglect certain protein sources as they lack the strength in numbers to deal with it properly. They simply need more jaws. Have you tried offering some cooked egg whites covered in honey?

Like you said they're likely prepping for hibernation in which case they'll try to stock up on sugars but won't eat proteins.

You're more than welcome to join our Camponotus Crew thread if you'd like to exchange ideas and experiences with fellow Carpenter ant keepers.