How Long Do Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Queen Alates Live When They are Infertile?

[SalticusScenicusStar]

I currently have a Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Alate that I had caught(still has wings and no brood) 2-3 months ago. She still lacks eggs or brood so I infer that she is infertile. I wonder how long she can live in this state.

 

[Brewser]

Most Carpenter Ants live less than a Year.
Queens up to ten years.

 

[SalticusScenicusStar]

Does fertility change the lifespan of a queen, supposing that she is nourished even without a colony?

 

[Ponerinecat]

Technically they probably have the potential to life as long as their fertilized counterparts, but unfertilized gynes in the founding stage of ants like C. penn will display behavior that more or less inevitably kills them over time without workers. You might be able to extend her lifespan unnaturally by introducing wild pupae to her and allowing her to raise some "foster" daughters to care for her, but the colony will never be able to perpetuate naturally.

 

[WhiteMoss]

Some die off. Some can live a full life as long as you keep feeding them. If I'm not mistaken some will produce only infertile males... don't quote me on that though. Can't remember where I heard that or recall if it's true or not. Mine end up in the freezer after a month or two and they don't produce any eggs. Campos at least.

 

[SalticusScenicusStar]

Thank you all for these insightful facts. The infertile queen is still very healthy and shows no sign of decreased vigor. I will assume to keep her alive as long as possible to see how long an infertile queen can be cultivated into a prolonged life.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Thank you all for these insightful facts. The infertile queen is still very healthy and shows no sign of decreased vigor. I will assume to keep her alive as long as possible to see how long an infertile queen can be cultivated into a prolonged life.

Tell us how it goes , roaches I got as feeders but one colony or two are now pets lol … but there are interesting . Ants are cool too I’ve kept some ages ago I don’t remember but they didn’t live long because no queen.🫅 those little ant kits for kids .