Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS => FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE => Topic started by: Donovan J on May 13, 2020, 11:08:58 pm

Title: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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:
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: The15thMember on May 14, 2020, 09:32:06 pm
Interesting.  Out of curiosity, how do you know it is a mated queen? 
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: The15thMember on May 14, 2020, 11:44:48 pm
Wow, that is amazing!  What are you keeping her in?
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Seeb 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?
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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.
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Seeb 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
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: The15thMember 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. 
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J on May 16, 2020, 02:47:28 pm
Update: She has 5 eggs now!
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Seeb on May 16, 2020, 06:59:31 pm
Congratulations! Do you know if she's a carpenter ant?
Title: Re: Ant Queen
Post by: Donovan J 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