Socially hybridogenetic ants produce queen and worker progeny from eggs sired by genetically different males. I investigated the relationship between viability of queen-destined and worker-destined eggs and colony size and reproductive status of laboratory colonies. Although worker-destined eggs developed under all conditions, queen-destined eggs displayed very low viability when the colony was non-reproductive regardless of colony size, but significantly higher viability when queens were actively being produced. The early stage of termination of these eggs may minimize the energetic drain on colony growth, and suggests that egg development is influenced by a maternal cue to colony reproductive status.