Pheidole Pallidula Alates

[grandad]

Hi introduced myself back in 2013 when I started a colony of the named species, since that time had to much in life to create any posts But my colony has thrived and survived four nest transfers since the last move into a 600 x 250 x 10 glass set-up I have been rewarded with my first winged occupant (a male) and there are no less than forty more super large grubs developing. This has raised a series of questions as follows.

Has anyone had success in creating a suitable environment to allow a flight?

Will Males and females from the same nest breed?

It is early days yet with the one male wandering round the nest but I would like to hear from anyone with advice.
I am UK based in the North West enjoying the fine weather (for a change) and wondering how to deal with my LADIES.
Many Thanks.

[Deleted]

Hi,
I actually once had a colony produce both male and female alates about a year ago (they've later deceased) and I find if you have like a tent or a big box they mate inside. Unfortunately they have to be from different colonies so I never got any mates queens.

[Deleted]

You could try buying another colony of Pheidole pallidula and hope that in a few years they produce alates as well, but that would take a few years and both colonies would have to survive that long. Or you could see if anyone else has P. pallidula alates on the way and try to get them to breed.

[Wood~Ant]

Hi Grandad,
You may find that brother and sister matings successfully happen in your colony if they have space to fly, but as this is a monogyn ant species any new queens would either be killed or cast out from the mother colony.
The chances are slim, though not impossible; but you would have to collect any newly mated queens and allow them to start a new colony of their own.

Nice to see you back again on the Ant Hill

[grandad]

This is the surprising thing the colony is only 18 months old give or take I started it 7 th March 2013, and it has had major losses due to events beyond the ants control, I am contemplating a green-house to maintain heat and to have a secure space, a second colony started at the same time that has had no disruption is far smaller and has no sign of alates at all, might have to kill off a few hundred as happened a month before the appearance of the MEGA GRUBS as I like to call them. Once I get my act together I will post some pictures.

Thanks for reply's.

GRANDDAD or should it be MAD-DAD as the family say