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Post by crockatt on Apr 5, 2013 9:09:26 GMT
Hi, when a new queen gets her first worker, will that worker be sent out to forage?
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Post by UKantz on Apr 5, 2013 9:40:47 GMT
I don't think there is a 100% sure answer to this, sometimes the first worker cares for the brood with the queen but at the same time I have had first workers go out and forage. I guess it may depend on how well the queen was fed before her nuptial flight...
But like I said before there are many different factors to consider: Is the species you are keeping generally timid or bold, small colonies are usually quite shy and most of the foraging occurs at night.
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Post by crockatt on Apr 5, 2013 11:27:58 GMT
It's my Formica lemani queen, caught her last year but she just started laying out of hibernation and now has a small brood and cocoon, have been giving food water etc direct into nest, but think this is disturbing her too much, and am thinking off just stopping that and just using the foraging pot, but the queen won't be able to get to it, cocoon due to hatch soon, but don't want them to starve if the worker doesn't forage.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 5, 2013 11:43:01 GMT
Hi, when a new queen gets her first worker, will that worker be sent out to forage? It depends on the worker, but generally a first young worker will stay and help the queen raising the brood. Older workers tend to venture out more to forage, and as the colony gets more workers then they divide the workforce into older and younger workers, each taking on their allotted tasks. |
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