Introducing a Social Parasite Queen to a Host Colony: Story of a Lasius Parasite Pt 2 - Tutorial #23

Summary

In this Halloween-themed tutorial by Ants Canada, Mikey Buos addresses a previous unsuccessful attempt to introduce a social parasite queen ant into a host colony. Inspired by a helpful email from Lucas Sokolowski, a Polish ant keeper, the video shares a successful European method involving 'adoption' in a refrigerator to reduce aggression and mix pheromones. The script humorously dramatizes the 'propaganda war' between queens using pheromones to convince worker ants of their legitimacy, offering a unique insight into ant behavior and colony dynamics.

Takeaways

• 👋 Introduction: Mikey Buos is presenting a Halloween edition tutorial on ant keeping, specifically about social parasites and semi-claustral queens.
• 📧 Feedback: Lucas Sokolowski from Poland shared his method for successfully introducing a social parasitic queen to a host colony, which differs from the unsuccessful attempts previously discussed.
• 🐜 Methodology: In Poland, workers of the host species are added to the social parasite queen without involving the queen of the host species, which helps avoid competition.
• 🌡️ Adoption Process: The process of introducing the queen is done in a refrigerator to reduce aggression and allow the queen's pheromones to mix with the host workers more easily.
• 🌐 European Success: Many keepers in Europe have successfully started colonies of social parasites using this method, indicating its effectiveness.
• 🐜 Pheromone Masking: The social parasite queen uses pheromones to mask herself and convince the host workers that she is their queen.
• 🚫 Aggressive Queens: Some queens, like Formica sangua, are extremely aggressive and require a different approach, such as adding host worker pupae for the queen to accept.
• 🎭 Propaganda War: The script humorously describes a 'propaganda war' between the real and fake queens using pheromones to convince the workers of their legitimacy.
• 🏠 Nest Intrusion: The script dramatizes the confusion and chaos that can occur when two queens claim leadership in the same colony.
• 📝 Documentation: The video encourages viewers to document and share their own successful social parasite introductions.

Q & A

Who is the presenter of the video?

The presenter of the video is Mikey Buos.

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is a tutorial on introducing a social parasitic queen ant to a host colony, focusing on methods that have been successful in Europe.

What is the name of the person who provided helpful advice via email?

The person who provided helpful advice via email is Lucas Sokolowski from Poland.

What is the method Lucas suggests for introducing a social parasite queen to a host colony?

Lucas suggests adding some workers of the host species to the social parasite queen and performing the introduction process, called 'adoption,' in a refrigerator to reduce aggression and allow pheromone mixing.

Why is the adoption process done in a refrigerator according to Lucas?

The adoption process is done in a refrigerator because low temperatures cause the host workers to act slower, reducing aggression and allowing the parasite queen's scent to mix with the host workers' scent without obstacles.

What are some European parasitic ant species that Lucas mentioned he successfully started colonies with?

Lucas mentioned successfully starting colonies with the European parasitic species Lasius umbratus and Formica rufa.

How does Lucas handle the introduction of more aggressive parasite queens like Formica sanguinea?

For more aggressive parasite queens like Formica sanguinea, Lucas suggests adding pupae of host workers, as the queen can open the cocoons herself and then accept the host workers without problems.

What is the term used to describe the competition between queens using pheromones?

The term used to describe the competition between queens using pheromones is 'propaganda war.'

What does the presenter suggest viewers do if they try the introduction method at home?

The presenter suggests that viewers document everything if they try the introduction method at home and send it to them, as they would love to see any successful social parasite introductions.

What is the closing message of the video?

The closing message of the video is a wish for a happy Halloween from the AntsCanada team, along with a thank you for the support and an encouragement to spread the 'ant love.'

What is the theme or dream of the AntsCanada team mentioned in the video?

The theme or dream of the AntsCanada team is to promote serious ant keeping, recognizing the fascinating behaviors and lessons that can be learned from ants.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Social Parasites in Ant Colonies

The video begins with Mikey Buos introducing a Halloween edition tutorial on social parasites and semi-claustral queens in ant colonies. Mikey shares an email from Lucas Sokolowski, an ant keeper from Poland, who provides valuable insights on successfully introducing social parasite queens into host colonies. Lucas explains that instead of introducing the parasite queen directly into host colonies, keepers in Poland add host workers to the parasite queen, avoiding direct competition between queens. Additionally, he suggests conducting the process in a refrigerator to lower aggression levels among the host workers.

05:00

🐜 Enacting the Propaganda War Between Ant Queens

The video features a dramatized scenario illustrating the propaganda war between the social parasite queen and the host queen. The social parasite queen convinces the host workers that she is their true queen using pheromones, leading to confusion and confrontation between the two queens. The workers struggle to determine their real queen, resulting in a chaotic battle of identities. Eventually, the social parasite queen successfully deceives the host workers, establishing herself as the new queen of the colony.

Keywords

💡Social Parasites

Social parasites are ants that live within the colonies of other ant species, often manipulating or exploiting the host colony for their own benefit. In the video, the theme revolves around introducing a social parasite queen into a host colony. The script discusses the challenges and methods of successfully integrating such a queen, highlighting the importance of this concept in the context of ant behavior and colony dynamics.

💡Ant Canada

Ant Canada is likely the name of the channel or the group making the video. The term is used throughout the script to refer to the creators and their work, emphasizing their focus on ant-related content. It is also used in a playful manner in the script, suggesting a light-hearted approach to the serious subject of ant behavior.

💡Queen

In the context of the video, the queen refers to the reproductive female in an ant colony. The script discusses the introduction of a social parasite queen into a host colony, which is a key process in the establishment of a new colony. The queen's role is pivotal, as she is the one who will lay eggs and potentially take over the host colony.

💡Host Colony

A host colony is the colony of ants that the social parasite queen is introduced to. The script discusses the challenges of integrating a social parasite queen into a host colony, emphasizing the need for careful methodology to ensure success. The concept is central to the video's narrative, as it explores the dynamics between the parasite and the host.

💡Pheromones

Pheromones are chemical signals used by ants to communicate. In the video, the social parasite queen uses pheromones to convince the host colony's workers that she is their queen. This is a crucial aspect of the integration process, as it allows the queen to 'mask' herself and gain acceptance within the host colony.

💡Adoption

In the script, 'adoption' refers to the process of introducing a social parasite queen to a host colony. The term is used to describe the method suggested by Lucas from Poland, which involves adding workers of the host species to the queen and then performing the process in a refrigerator to reduce aggression. This method is central to the video's message about successful integration.

💡Refrigerator

The refrigerator is mentioned in the script as a tool for facilitating the adoption process. By conducting the introduction in a cooler environment, the aggression of the host colony's workers is reduced, making it easier for the social parasite queen to be accepted. This method is part of the innovative approach discussed in the video.

💡Pupae

Pupae are the larval stage of ants, preceding adulthood. In the script, it is suggested that adding pupae of the host workers can help in the acceptance of a particularly aggressive social parasite queen. This is a specific technique mentioned in the video, illustrating the nuanced methods that can be used in ant keeping.

💡Lucas Sokolowski

Lucas Sokolowski is a person from Poland who provided valuable insights into the process of introducing a social parasite queen to a host colony. His email to the creators of the video is a central part of the script, as it offers a method that has been successful in Europe. His contribution is significant to the video's content and message.

💡Ant Keeping

Ant keeping refers to the hobby of maintaining and observing ant colonies, often in artificial environments. The video is aimed at ant keepers, providing them with information and techniques for managing social parasites. The script discusses various methods and challenges associated with ant keeping, making it relevant to those interested in this hobby.

💡Halloween

Halloween is mentioned in the script as a thematic element, indicating that the video is a special edition related to the holiday. The creators use this context to add a festive tone to their discussion about ant behavior and social parasites, making the content more engaging and timely for viewers.

Highlights

Introduction of a Halloween edition ant Canada tutorial focused on social parasites and semic claustral queens.

Email from Lucas Sokolowski, an ant keeper from Poland, offering advice on introducing social parasite queens into host colonies.

Lucas suggests adding workers of the host species to the social parasite queen without the host queen's involvement.

Explanation of the pheromone 'propaganda war' between queens in nature.

The adoption process should be done in a refrigerator to reduce aggression and facilitate scent mixing.

Lucas' success in starting colonies of European parasitic species using this method.

Mention of aggressive parasite queens like Formica sangua that require the addition of host worker pupae for successful adoption.

The importance of recognizing the queen's pheromone as a means of acceptance by the host workers.

A humorous skit illustrating the 'propaganda war' between queens within an ant colony.

Dramatization of the queen's struggle to be recognized by her colony amidst an impostor queen.

Workers' confusion and decision-making process when faced with two queens claiming to be the true queen.

The queen's persuasive tactics to regain control and convince the workers of her legitimacy.

Workers' ultimate decision to follow the queen's orders and eliminate the impostor.

A call to action for viewers to document and share their experiences with social parasite introductions.

A festive Halloween greeting from the ants Canada team.

An expression of gratitude for support and an encouragement to spread 'ant love'.

A closing statement emphasizing the passion for ant keeping and the desire to promote it as a fascinating hobby.

Transcripts

[Music]

it's

what's up everybody this is your boy

Mikey buos bringing you another random

but helpful anend video and tutorial

this is our Halloween

edition uh of an ant Canada tutorial

this one in particular is to follow the

last tutorial we did on um social

parasites and semic claustral

queens um recently we received a

very helpful email from somebody from

Poland by the name of Lucas sokolowski

and uh I'm just going to read you what

he wrote To

Us hi my name is Lucas and I am an antke

keeper from Poland I have seen your

video about social parasites in ants in

which you said that you were

unsuccessful in introducing the social

parasite Queen into the host Colony I

think I may help you with that as a

matter of fact a lot of Keepers in

Poland and the rest of Europe succeed in

starting the colonies of social

parasites I am sure that you can do it

as well you just have to change your

methodology a little bit you said that

you tried to introduce your parasites to

the small and big colonies of host

species in Poland we just add some

workers of the whole species to the

social parasite Queen then the queen of

the whole species is not involved in the

process which is beneficial because the

parasite Queen doesn't have any rivals

in nature the Queens make something like

a propaganda War they compete with each

other using pheromones the other thing

is that you have to do the entire

process we call this process an adoption

in the refrigerator the workers of the

host species may be aggressive and start

fighting with the queen of the parasite

but in low temperatures the workers act

like they are in slow motion the

aggression rate is lower and the smell

of the parasite Queen May mix with the

desent of the host workers with no

obstacles using this method I

successfully started colonies of

European parasitic species of laus

umbratus and fora rufa it works almost

every

time there are some parasite Queen such

as formica sangua that are extremely

aggressive and usually they kill the

host workers we offer to them in such

cases you need to add Pupi of host

workers the queen is able to open the C

Coons on her own and then she accepts

the host workers with no problems I hope

that you find this information useful

and good luck Lucas

sokolowski thank you so much Lucas for

writing in just had to create this video

because there you go people in Europe

have been able to do it successfully

which is introduce a social parasitic

Queen to a host Colony um which is

wonderful you know and and I knew

Europeans had the method down

somewhere so um so yeah there you have

it apparently the social parasite Queen

masks herself uh with a pheromone and

that tries to convince the workers that

she is the queen and not whoever their

real queen is um and they have a

propaganda

War if that ever did happen it would

probably look something like

this an Canada an Canada all original

forar and Canada and I'm not too sure

where I think I heard what is this could

it be a host

Colony time to fulfill my destiny all

right come on guys I think I found some

food over there but I'm just not too

sure uh you know I think if we follow

this Trail we can we can get to to the

food you know so let's go whoopee excuse

me uh coming through hey wait a second

you're not one of us we are not letting

you through yeah we're not letting you

through you're not one of us yeah get

her no wait on the contrary my children

I am in fact your

Queen H mommy mommy what are you doing

here oh please accept our apologies your

Royal Highness we couldn't recognize you

here so close to ground level please

come inside it's not safe for you out

here yes yes thank you my children I am

your mommy and your true Colony Queen

meanwhile back inside the nest yes come

in my queen your highness there is

another ant in the nest closer to the

surface that is claiming she is the true

Queen don't be silly that's impossible I

am your queen there is no other

see yes it's true you are our Queen

please forgive me your highness I shall

spread the

news attention Colony this is one one of

your thousands of sisters we have a very

important message our true Queen is here

and intact do not believe the pheromones

of any strange Queen you may smell no

matter how Queeny there you are what who

are you what are you doing here how did

the majors let you in I do not know what

you speak of you impostor I am the true

queen of this Colony

see blasphemy how dare you speak to the

queen like

that workers seiz huh no I am the queen

as for you you impostor these daughters

have no other Queen but

me no I am the real

queen I am queen no I am

queen I

am I

am I am the one and only Queen

never uh you both

you both you both

smell you both smell so you both smell

so you both smell

so you both smell so convincing and we

do not know who our true Queen is my

daughters I raised you from the moment I

built the claustral Cell last year look

at her small gasto does it look like she

was able to fully sustain herself

through the cold winter months and be

able to nourish a generation of ntic on

her own well I'm sure you may be right

oh possibly might be queen of ours but

we trust our antenni and right now she

is smelling quite convincing with her

pherone identification yes because I am

your real queen my children now go and

slay that fake queen she is an intruder

no you

mustn't smell me I am your queen what is

wrong with you all no she

isn't get her come on ladies you heard

the queen let's get her yeah come on

here ah no smell

me I am your

queen no ah thank you my children now

let me go get cozy in this room here a

little bit my brand new bedroom uh I

mean my old comfortable and familiar

bedroom that I have lived in for all of

[Laughter]

time all right if any of you guys do try

this at home make sure to document

everything and send it to us cuz we

would love to see any successful social

parasite

introduction anyways we'd like to wish

everybody a happy Halloween here from

Canada on behalf of the ants Canada team

thank you guys so much for your

support and uh do spread the ant

love

[Laughter]

all

original world where R are just a

novelty our dream is to promote serious

and keeping so fascinating and we can

from them it's Canada we're in heaven

and in and Canada and Canada

all the regional

forer and Canada and

Canada all original

for stru with got

tutorials all the best and YouTube

videos oh