#queen ants

[this-great-world]

Queen Ants

[the-unicorns-of-nienna]

Something that I, personally, consider highly relevant to Elizant II’s character: queen ants are not born, they are made.

All female ant larvae start out the same, and grow into workers under default conditions. When they decide to raise a new queen, the adult ants will choose a larva to feed a special high-protein diet; giving her the nutrition she needs to grow into a larger, reproduction-capable queen.

Knowing this adds a whole new layer to Queen Elizant II’s insecurities. “Your mother CHOSE you, out of her many daughters, to become her heir. Was her faith in you misplaced? Were the resources spent on you wasted?”

I wonder if Elizant ever wished that she’d been left to grow into a worker, allowed to live a normal life.

[futurebird]

The Splinter Colony

This is the “splinter colony” I’ve isolated about 100 workers and 3 young, alate queens from the main colony (of bout 400?) That way, if the main colony raises males with their new heap of eggs, maybe these queens won’t realize they are their bothers? (horrible I know)

There is no documentation on how exactly these ants reproduce— only general ideas from related genuses. A long shot but worth a try.

Uncharted territory!

[adragonsoulants]

Was sitting outside with the cats in their little run again for like 5 mins and what did my eyes spot yet again, an ant queen.

I think she may be either F. montana or F. neorufibarbis after going through the like 30 Formica species native to my state.

Got her tucked away in a tube now.

[ccosmiccookiess]

I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT MY QUEEN ANT I CAUGHT THE OTHER NIGHT HAS LAID HER FIRST EGGS I AM S O E X C I T E D

[micro-beauty]

Beautiful Ergatogina Formica sanguinea Photographed by Michal Kukla

[antsmynala-blog]

Just received a delivery of Formica (Serviformica) fusca from one of our suppliers.

[futurebird]

The Ant Story: Part 2.5

(Part One, Part Two, Part Two Point Five, Part Three)

"Maybe, coming here was not the best idea." Offered Snap. "Let's get out of here!" Whispered Greta. To avoid catching the attention of the angry young queens, they walked cautiously, tarsal claws spread to make as little noise as possible. Since the rain had not yet let up, the nest was quiet, all of the ants having completed their preparations for the storm. The main tunnels were nearly empty. Greta shuddered her wings. Snap groomed herself. Then, as if by wordless agreement, Snap and Greta made their way to a little exit tunnel near the back of the great log.

Here was an emergency exit that overlooked the colony's main garbage dump. Whatever ant had made the tunnel had discovered the exit was too far about the forest floor to do anything but jump. But, it was perfect for throwing away trash. From this little balcony they had a view of the clearing, the berry bush, and the trees on the edge of the forest.

Even gloomy with rain, looking out on all of this was exciting for Greta. "This is a lovely spot, Snap, How did you find it? You know, in those early days."

"This isn't too far from the queen's original founding chamber. I remember when the nest consisted of little more than this tunnel and a few other rooms." Snap said wistfully.

"Can we go to the original founding chamber?"

"I don't see why not" Said Snap, brightening. It's just over here! The little ant ran around a cleft in the bark that was nearly invisible and they entered a small tidy tunnel. It was clean, dry and totally empty.

"These old upper rooms just have not been as popular since the nest expanded." Snap explained "This is where we spent that first long winter. Two summer's ago!"

The room was hardly big enough for a queen ant to stand. Greta's wings brushed the soft wooden ceiling. Greta tried to imagine spending a whole year in such a small space. First alone, then only with the brave little nanitics like Snap, her first children. She thought about what Snap had called "thin days."

"How will I ever find a place like this of my own?" Greta said. For as much as the little room intimidated her and overwhelmed her, she knew her mother had picked well. It was warm, secure because of the entrance hidden in a cleft of bark. The walls were so thick not even a pecking bird could get through. There was fresh water nearby and all of the wonderful sources of food like the termites below and the nearby berry bush filled with docile aphids. Mother had picked well. How could she do the same?

"Well," Said Snap, "It's a little uncommon ... but in my foraging days I came upon many excellent nest founding spots. One in particular I think is the best, though it is rather far. But, I could take you.

"But I need to fly, how would you keep up?" "I have some ideas" Snap smiled, "What would you think if I told you I'd found a way to fly?" "You don't have wings" "Don't need em! I have another way!"

Just then both ants heard a commotion in the main hall outside of the founding chamber. The brisk crisp smell of the drones! The young princes of the colony were gathering for some reason.

"It's all happening so fast!" Greta said. "After the rain is best… but I think something else is also causing this." Snap replied. Snap and Greta made their way into the hall. It was packed with winged male ants. They were glorious, beautiful with long wings and unusual more delicate black bodies that contrasted with Greta and Snap's shades of red and orange.

Already, the first of the drones had flown from the crack. "Little brothers what is going on?" Demanded Snap. She detained one of the drones by holding his wing.

"No need for that elder sister! I'm scared to fly anyway!" Said the Drone, who Greta now recognized as being terrified. Terrified but also compelled by some mysterious desire to fly. What a contradiction he was.

"Why are all the boys flying?" Greta asked. "We sensed many ants moving." Said the drone. He had enormous eyes and long antenna. Drones possessed exceptional senses if not exceptional intellects. Greta could see herself reflected over and over in his massive compound eyes. There was something dreamy and distant about drones, almost as if they were listening to things no one else could hear.

"I think The Great Colony is flying, so we, Nearly as Great as They must fly too." the drone said cryptically and he strained to break free from Snap. Snap, small but scrappy, dug her claws into the tunnel dirt and would not let him go. "Great colony?" Asked Greta. The drone was so caught up in fighting Snap he didn't seem to hear her question. "Let him go Snap you're scaring him!" Said Greta. Snap released his wing and the drone huffed in annoyance. "You don't need to treat me like a child." He said. "What is The Great Colony?" Asked Greta again. "Oh you know, the one you can sense in the direction the the sun shall rise. The biggest colony around of ants like us." He explained. Greta wondered at his ability to sense other colonies. The only colony she could sense was her own.

Then drone took advantage of not being held by the wing anymore and ran for the crack. He ran with full abandon beating his wings and legs splayed out, he leapt. He fell. He tumbled not flying at all towards the garbage pile, but then, just before he would have hit, the vigorous desperate motions of his wing muscles arrested his fall and bowed him upward and in to the cloud of flying drones.

"When we fly we should go north." Said Snap. "That's where I saw the good nest site."

More and more drones were flying. And while none of them were very graceful their sheer numbers formed a black cloud that had a kind of grace when taken as a whole. The cloud shifted in shape and size, and then, just as the first rays of sun began to chase away the last of the rain the dark mass of drones veered to the East, where the sun was rising, and where other ants from a greater colony might join them.

It was happening! This is always how it was. First the young princes, then not long after the young queens. And here her many sisters came, stamping up the tunnel much larger and more impressive than their large eye'd brothers. Greta wondered if she really was as huge as the other queens. They all looked so impressive. Healthy and shiny, dark hues of red and brown flashing on their abdomens. And then a few were taking the leap and flying. The push of young queen brought Greta closer to the exit.

Greta flapped her wings a few times catching the excitement around her. But then she stopped. She looked around for little Snap. Snap it seemed was gone!

She wanted to fly. But it was too soon. Where was Snap? Just as her panic was about to explode something tapped her from above. Snap was on the ceiling holding something white and tufted in her mandibles. Greta felt a wash of relief.

"You will come with me won't you?" She asked.

"Of course!" Said Snap. "I just had to fetch my flying gear! You'll need to take me up as high as you can. Then I'll jump off try to stay with you and track you down when you land. Try to go North OK?"

"Which way is north?" Asked Greta feeling like she was going to start crying.

"It straight ahead! you can't go wrong!" Said Snap, who sounded more excited than scared. "But that drone could hardly keep aloft. How can I carry myself and you?" Greta worried. "Greta, come on! you have to be one of the largest queens here! Your wings are enormous! And queens are much more capable fliers than drones. I know you can do it."

So with Snap and her white fluffy thing on her back Greta crept closer to the edge and to the exit.

(Part One, Part Two, Part Two Point Five, Part Three)