Treason?

[preddy]

Hey all

So my L. niger Queen has decided to start producing Winged males and females for the mating flights, and some have come to the surface of my antfarm. But for some reason I see my workers harassing the winged ants, they seem to be pulling their wings and such and the winged ants are trying to flee from them. Any ideas why? Thanks in advance!

[Wood~Ant]

Sometimes ants kept under captive conditions will rear alate males and females, but then seem to decide that they are a liability to the colony, as they cannot go on a mating flight.
It may not be a case of the workers trying to kill the alates, more that they are just trying to stop any of them mating within the nest

You could try releasing them later when other wild nests are also putting out their nuptial flights, as the new queens won't be allowed to stay in the nest if they do happen to mate, as Lasius niger will only have 1 queen per colony.
Whatever you decide, the alates may not survive either way; but they do stand a far better chance if you free them.

[preddy]

Ah I see, thanks for the help Woody! I'll free them.

[toudzard]

Sounds to me like TREASON!! ;D or is it?