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Author Topic: Ant Queen  (Read 3817 times)

Offline Donovan J

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Ant Queen
« on: May 13, 2020, 11:08:58 pm »
I was out gardening and found an ant queen that just mated. I know nothing about any keeping but I kept her and decided to learn about it. She hasn't laid any eggs yet but should start soon. Hopefully I'll have a ant colony in a few years :cheesy:
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline The15thMember

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2020, 09:32:06 pm »
Interesting.  Out of curiosity, how do you know it is a mated queen? 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2020, 10:44:57 pm »
Interesting.  Out of curiosity, how do you know it is a mated queen?

Usually when they break off their wings then it is mated. I'm gonna have to wait and see if she lays any eggs to be sure
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2020, 11:29:40 pm »
Interesting.  Out of curiosity, how do you know it is a mated queen?

Really funny because right after I sent that I checked on her and she was laying an egg  :cheesy: the little yellowish thing in her mandibles is an egg
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline The15thMember

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2020, 11:44:48 pm »
Wow, that is amazing!  What are you keeping her in?
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2020, 12:24:08 am »
Wow, that is amazing!  What are you keeping her in?

I have her in a test tube that simulates a claustral chamber with some water like in the image below
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline Seeb

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2020, 09:19:03 am »
Xerox -

Can you explain the advantage of keeping ants?  Would you be raising them in a glass house so you can observe the chambers?

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2020, 11:44:12 am »
Xerox -

Can you explain the advantage of keeping ants?  Would you be raising them in a glass house so you can observe the chambers?

I think keeping ants could be a lot of fun and I'll find enjoyment in watching a ant colony grow from just a single queen to thousands of workers. Yes I'm planning on buying a setup where I can see the chambers and the brood.
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline Seeb

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2020, 08:53:11 am »
Very cool. In case you haven't seen Alex Wild Photography - you might enjoy this  https://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2020, 11:37:22 am »
Very cool. In case you haven't seen Alex Wild Photography - you might enjoy this  https://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants

Yeah I've seen it. He's a great photographer
« Last Edit: May 16, 2020, 02:48:01 pm by Xerox »
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline The15thMember

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2020, 11:52:43 am »
Very cool. In case you haven't seen Alex Wild Photography - you might enjoy this  https://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants

Yeah I've seen it. He's a great photogrspher
Seriously amazing. 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2020, 02:47:28 pm »
Update: She has 5 eggs now!
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

Offline Seeb

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2020, 06:59:31 pm »
Congratulations! Do you know if she's a carpenter ant?

Offline Donovan J

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Re: Ant Queen
« Reply #13 on: May 16, 2020, 07:06:26 pm »
Congratulations! Do you know if she's a carpenter ant?

I'm pretty sure she's a carpenter ant. Not so sure of the species I'm thinking it might be pennsylvanicus
3rd year of beekeeping and I still have lots to learn

 

anything