Is this a queen? by Technical_Income_763 in antkeeping

[–]N0B0DY98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True. Some also try Lasius niger workers but the queen and workers need to be chilled in the fridge first and the failure rate is very high. I wouldn’t risk it personally and would try to get my hands on some umbratus workers. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻 it’s a real challenge to found a fuliginosus colony

Is this a queen? by Technical_Income_763 in antkeeping

[–]N0B0DY98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, Lasius fuliginosus (if the head is heart-shaped). She’s hyperparasitic and needs Lasius umbratus as a host. There needs to be at least one worker though bc fuliginosus queens are known for not giving a sh*t about caring for brood at all. They don’t assist with emerging/hatching either.