ethergear@futurebird hey do you mind if I ask you for #ant keeping advice? I found three camponotus queens tonight after the first #monsoon storm. I just have them in test tubes with a bit of water behind a cotton ball right now
myrmepropagandistLovely queens!
Since they still have wings there is a chance they are not mated. If they chew the cotton plug and seem to just want to get out that's also a sign.
The best thing for a queen at this stage is to ensure she's had a little water (you can offer her a drop right in the tube if the cotton isn't very moist)
Then put them in a quiet dark place for at least three days. Just leave her alone! If she is fertile she should lay eggs.