Sam_The_Ant Lasius Flavus Colony

[Sam_the_Ant]

So I've just recieved my new Lasius Flavus queen, AKA Flavina, and she is doing well. She arrived by herself as there were no queens with workers in stock. But she has a few Lavae and and few eggs, so this colony is going to take awhile to get started up.
I did a lot of research, and discovered that some people have tried placing other workers from different colonies in with their queen, so I did attemp to do the same to give her a boost.
I started off with one worker going in with her, and they were all fine after a day. So I decided to put another 5 in with her the next day, and they all seem like a pretty happy family at the moment.

I've placed them inside their new formicarium which I made from scratch, but they havnt left the safety of the test tube yet, but hoping they do soon, so they can all get comfortable.

Here's a few poorly taken photo's with my bad Iphone4.

i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj635/Sam_sausage/078.jpg

i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj635/Sam_sausage/080.jpg

[Jenny]

When they do move out from the test tube, they will dig straight in, probably well out of sight It is just as well you have made the nest good to look at I might have perhaps gone for more on the surface species.

I noticed this morning whilst walking the dog, all the local wild flavus in this area have fluffed up their nests and opened up air holes in preparation.

[Sam_the_Ant]

Hehe thanks Jenant, and to be honest... It didn't cross my mind once that I should have used a surface species. I think I was hoping they would be just like Lasius Niger and wonder the surface abit

I always thought these were red ants... But I was greatly mistaken. And they have such beautiful colours. Need to get a decent camera and start photographing them

[Sam_the_Ant]

Unfortunatly, this colony is not doing very well She keeps eating her brood and the workers seem to keep dying. I've done everything the same as my L.Niger colony, but still not having luck with the L.Flavus.

So due to the queen only being by herself, I think its best to release her into the wild, whilst the summer is still here. This journal is now closed