One could say that I have a question about what I believe to be an ant queen that I found outside

[l.MetalHead.l]

So, It seems as though I have found an ant queen outside. Its about 0.5 inches and is bigger than any ant i have ever seen (I live in southern ontario), When I caught it, it had wings, It seems as though she has either lost them or torn them off. I put her in an "Ant works" container, But i took out the jelly and replaced it with moist co-conut fiber. She has dug some tunnels and such, but there is no sign of eggs. I have had her (what I think is a her) for a few weeks now. I have read on the article section about making a test tube vial. Is that a better way? Should i relocate her? How long does it take before they start laying eggs. By the way, she spends most of her time at the surface could that mean that something is wrong? Anyways, thanks for reading. Have a good day.

 

[Malhavoc's]

I have two queens I found about two to three weeks ago now both have eggs even beggining to turn into grubs, I set up them in plastic jars with small amount of space some papertowel moistend and then left in a dark place, she began to lay and stockpile them together, but thus far think I've kept them too cool (about 19c) for the eggs to develop quickly, I put in some sugar to be absorbed into the papertowel which they chew on from time to time. and is about the only way I've had them produce eggs.

 

[Violet]

Yes, your ant sounds like a queen. only queens and males have wings (males will only live for afew days max)

I've had sucsess with the test tube method, only problem was they had to be relocated after a several weeks due to water evaporation.

Don't feed her untill the first workers have hatched out.

 

[myrmecophile]

Is it the antworks gel thing?? If so get her out of there, they are trash. Also post a pic.

 

[Violet]

Is it the antworks gel thing?? If so get her out of there, they are trash. Also post a pic.

"I put her in an "Ant works" container, But i took out the jelly and replaced it with moist co-conut fiber."


I agree with you myrmecophile, those gell antfarms are awful.

 

[bhoeschcod]

Camponotus species.

Might be the same as mine. I have two cocoons soon enough i'll have first workers

 

[auroborus]

awesome, I know the tube trick does work. when mine started to dry out i used a syringe to add water. I'm preparing to let my campernotous queen and her workers go since I now have a big red queen that I mainly wanted. dont worry im going to allow the mini colony to transfer itself to a chunk of wood before release, that way they start by having a decent home. also I found that they do tend to enjoy peanut butter mixed with honey (carbs and protein). since your queen is wondering around maybe she hasnt found that right place to settle down. sorry for rambling on