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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:13:50 GMT 1
Ok, I think I have a Myrmica queen, I know it sounds silly for this type of year to find one, but I am 95% sure it is a queen... Here are some photo's... The reason I think it is a queen is because it's size, especicially that of its "middle segment" which is I believe the thorax, it is larger than its head, which is a characteristic only found in queens I believe... Also there seems to be a buildup of condensation within the tube, is this a problem, how can I stop this? Thanks guys for any help I get, Jon
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Post by Myrm on May 12, 2012 18:21:22 GMT 1
Ok, I think I have a Myrmica queen, I know it sounds silly for this type of year to find one, but I am 95% sure it is a queen.....The reason I think it is a queen is because it's size, especicially that of its "middle segment" which is I believe the thorax, it is larger than its head, which is a characteristic only found in queens I believe... It's a queen. A little condensation is good as it will provide a source of drinking water. As long as it does not pool.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:28:31 GMT 1
Thanks Myrm, your karma seems a little low ( ) so I reckon I should exalt you for this.. ;D... Any idea why she is out so early...
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Post by Myrm on May 12, 2012 18:32:28 GMT 1
Thanks Myrm, your karma seems a little low ( ) so I reckon I should exalt you for this.. ;D... Any idea why she is out so early... Well, they usually fly in June, so it's not all that early, though unusual. Well spotted, Jon Bin Lid. Where did you find her? Thank you for the exalt. Have one in return. ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:35:31 GMT 1
In my garden, though I must say, I didn't see any flights... I spotted a worker a week of so ago, which is according to BSF and rubra a Sabuleti, is this a Sabuleti queen, do you think? (I do understand that queens of Myrmica are quite hard to identifty!)
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Post by Myrm on May 12, 2012 18:38:47 GMT 1
I can't tell what exact species it is. Have you shown it to Daniel Bin Lid?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:39:25 GMT 1
That's an awesome catch! Remember that Myrmica queens are semi-claustral and she will need to be connected to an out world where food is. Good luck!
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:51:07 GMT 1
That's an awesome catch! Remember that Myrmica queens are semi-claustral and she will need to be connected to an out world where food is. Good luck! Right! And that she is semi-claustral is probably how Jon came across her. Myrmica queens can often be seen above ground, foraging, in the spring.
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Post by Myrm on May 12, 2012 18:54:01 GMT 1
That's an awesome catch! Remember that Myrmica queens are semi-claustral and she will need to be connected to an out world where food is. Good luck! Right! And that she is semi-claustral is probably how Jon came across her. Myrmica queens can often be seen above ground, foraging, in the spring. If that's the case then it means Jon has taken her from her larvae Hopefully she will start again.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:54:19 GMT 1
I found another one, shall I release them both into a small container, or add them both into a test tube?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:55:11 GMT 1
Hopefully she will start again. Woops...
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 18:59:17 GMT 1
At this point, adding another queen won't be a good idea. Those alliances occur within several days of their nuptial flight.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 19:00:46 GMT 1
Ohh okay, do they forage straight away, or simply once they have larvea?
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 19:03:05 GMT 1
The queens' protein stores are probably depleted, so I'm guessing they'll want to forage soon, but they'll probably be spending some time trying to get back to their nests first.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 19:04:29 GMT 1
Hmm well they don't seem in a rush to go anywhere, they are just very slowly strolling around, often just standing/sitting still... Maybe I shall give them some honey. And later a piece of mealworm...
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