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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 0:42:56 GMT 1
Hi, im new to the forum and have gained alot of knowledge from reading through the varius posts! I've jsut brought an ant farm, with veritcal living area and quare box feeding area. I also got a queen ant and some worker ants from the lasius niger species. There still in the test tube, but i understand i have to patient. I was wonering how long my queen ant will last for? what happens if she dies? and how are queen ants made? Thanks. Tarn
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 1:04:55 GMT 1
I'll reply.
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Post by Myrm on Nov 10, 2010 1:06:33 GMT 1
Hi Tarn, and welcome to the forum.
A Lasius niger queen can live for up to 15 years; though record is about 29 years (though this is the exception).
If the queen dies then the colony will slowly die out as there is no queen to lay eggs to replace aging workers. However, if the colony has more than one queen and replaces or boosts them regularly then the colony, in theory at least, could go on indefinitely.
Queen ants are produced by the food supply they are fed as larvae.
I hope this helps.
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Post by Myrm on Nov 10, 2010 1:07:46 GMT 1
Sorry, Miles Bin Lid. I was in the process of typing the reply when you must have made yours and subsequently I didn't notice it until I had posted mine and the page refreshed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 1:10:53 GMT 1
Well, this is obviously species dependant, but since you are dealing with lasius Niger well focus on that. Niger queens, from birth, will normally live up to 15-20 years within prime conditions. Queen ants, however, have a small success rate compared to how many are born. If your queen is to perish the remaining colony will either live until the colony dies out, or go into a state of ant depression where they are very idle. Queen ants are made by another queen of a colony. The queen egg is determined by the queen.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 1:12:02 GMT 1
Ignore my reply. Myrms is better. I am on myipod so typing is very slow. He has a better reply.
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Post by Myrm on Nov 10, 2010 1:13:51 GMT 1
Ignore my reply. Myrms is better. I am on myipod so typing is very slow. He has a better reply. No, don't ignore. Your reply nicely compliments mine, Miles Bin Lid. Thank you for your efforts and help
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 1:25:39 GMT 1
both were very helpful! bonus that i got both of you to answer! Ok cool, so i've deff got a couple of years with my colony then! so basically its the queens choice if she wants to birth another queen larvea, or its random? Tarn
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Post by Myrm on Nov 10, 2010 1:42:31 GMT 1
so basically its the queens choice if she wants to birth another queen larvea, or its random? Tarn I'll let Miles Bin Lid answer that one. Take it away, Miles! ;D
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