How to Care for a Queen Ant

Summary

In this informative video, the host provides a comprehensive guide for new ant enthusiasts, especially in North America and Europe, on how to care for newly captured queen ants. The tutorial covers the importance of maintaining a warm, undisturbed environment for the queens, the process of nuptial flights, and the founding of colonies. It also touches on feeding guidelines, the benefits of warmth for the founding process, and the unique behaviors of certain species like the Lacey's neo Niger. Additionally, the video promotes the Global Ant Nursery program, encouraging the adoption of local ant species for a safe and sustainable hobby.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The video is aimed at ant enthusiasts in North America and Europe who are currently experiencing nuptial flights and are catching their own ant queens.
• 📹 The video is a recap tutorial for newcomers on how to take care of newly captured ant queens, especially for those who are doing it for the first time.
• 🐜 The presenter has over 4,000 subscribers and is part of the AntsCanada community, which focuses on ant keeping and education.
• 🔎 Queens can be captured even with their wings on, as they often break them off in the test tube after mating.
• 🏠 It's important to keep the queens in a warm environment, avoiding air-conditioned rooms, to facilitate the founding process.
• 👀 Queens should be kept in the dark and undisturbed to prevent them from eating their eggs, especially during the sensitive founding process.
• 🍯 Feeding queens is not necessary during the claustral founding process as they have energy reserves; however, a small amount of honey or a cricket leg can be offered if needed.
• 🌡 Keeping the queens warm can speed up the founding process, but care should be taken to avoid overheating them.
• 🕰 Most species take about one to two weeks to start laying eggs after being captured, depending on the species and conditions.
• 🌳 The presenter mentions the unique case of Lasius neoniger ants, which hibernate after being caught and start laying eggs the following year.
• 🌱 AntsCanada has relaunched their Global Ant Nursery (GAAN) program to promote keeping local ants and has a list of 'GAAN farmers' who sell ants within their regions to support local biodiversity.
• 📦 AntsCanada also offers a new form of ant habitat called 'AntsCanada Habitat Nest 3D', which combines a nest and an outworld in one unit.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about how to take care of newly captured queen ants, particularly for those who are experiencing nuptial flights and are catching their own queens for the first time.

Why did the video creator make this video?

The video creator made this video to provide a recap and consolidate information on how to take care of queen ants, especially for new subscribers and those who have questions about the process of founding a colony.

What should be done if a queen ant escapes from the test tube setup?

If a queen ant escapes from the test tube setup, it is important to hope that she doesn't start calling for the rest of the colony. The creator suggests using extra cotton to prevent escapes, especially if the ants are crafty.

What is the standard test tube setup for captured queen ants?

The standard test tube setup involves capturing the queen ants and keeping them in a warm environment, away from air-conditioning, and ensuring they are not exposed to direct sunlight.

Why should queen ants be kept in the dark and undisturbed?

Queen ants should be kept in the dark and undisturbed to prevent them from eating their eggs, which can happen with sensitive queens that do not like to be disturbed during the founding process. It also helps in using light as a deterrent when moving them later.

Do queen ants need to be fed during the founding process if they are fully claustral?

No, fully claustral queen ants do not need to be fed during the founding process. They survive off the energy stores in their bodies, which were used to power their wings, and nourish their young as the eggs turn into larvae.

What can be done to provide additional energy to queen ants if needed?

If queen ants appear to need additional energy, a tiny drop of honey can be added using a toothpick, or a cricket leg can be provided, but it's not necessary as nature has equipped them to raise their colony without additional supplements.

How does temperature affect the founding process of an ant colony?

The warmer the environment, the faster the founding process happens, with quicker development of the first generation of ants. However, it's important not to overheat them, as this can be harmful.

What is the typical time frame for queen ants to start laying eggs after being captured?

For most species, it usually takes around seven to fourteen days for queen ants to start laying eggs after being captured, depending on the species.

What is the 'global and nursery program' mentioned in the video?

The 'global and nursery program' is a program that promotes keeping local ants by offering ants for adoption through selected 'gann farmers' who sell ants native to the buyer's area, ensuring biological safety.

How can someone join the 'ants Canada' team as a 'global and nursery farmer'?

To join the 'ants Canada' team as a 'global and nursery farmer', one should contact the team through the provided contact information on the 'ants Canada' website.