Deleted
Hibernating
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 13:14:07 GMT
I've had a red Messor barbarus Queen since October last year and have hibernated her for several months and now she is in a warm cupboard at 25 degrees but she still will not lay any eggs? I have offered protein jelly and seeds in the past but she just doesn't seem interested and she tears at the cotton wool in the testtube. Can anyone suggest what might be the issue/s?
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Post by occultus on May 29, 2015 13:44:00 GMT
The best thing that you can do is leave her alone in total darkness for 1-2 months. Don't try to peak on her as Messor queens are very sensitive to vibration and will eat their eggs if stressed. I'm currently doing this with my Messor barbarus queen. She is inside a test-tube that is inside a woolen glove and that is inside a shoe box under my bed. I'll check on her progress on the 12/06. Leave her be and she should do well mate, too much care and she'll suffer for it.
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 29, 2015 15:37:02 GMT
Messor species will lay eggs at lower temperatures down to 21 Celsius, so it is not a warmth problem. If the test tube is drying out then that is a major concern, and the tearing at the cotton wool is a sign she wants to dig a brood chamber. I have always found that all my Messor queens laid eggs when kept in damp soil where they have made a small nest with a claustral chamber to bring up their brood in.
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Hibernating
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 15:45:00 GMT
The test tube is full with water so water will not be the issue. I'll keep her in peace and darkness for a couple of months then see what the outcome is.
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