60 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

Here's a place for everyone in South Carolina to post any ant species they are finding in South Carolina lately. I have been seeing a lot of Prenolepis imparis lately. Also I think I saw a Trachymyrmex septentrionalis nest on the side of the road while I was out riding my bike, which is a shame because if I could have stopped, I would have an awesome species that I really want to collect. Let me know what ants you are seeing. I am on the lookout for Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, Camponotus americanus and socius, and Pogonomyrmex badius.

Edited by CloudtheDinosaurKing, April 28 2019 - 10:28 AM.

[Ferox_Formicae]

There was a nuptial flight of two species of Lasius last night. I found one queen of each species, the smaller of which ended up dying. I'm surprised as I haven't seen any Lasius here before, I've only seen them in North Carolina and Michigan. I think that the smaller queen was a social parasite so she probably would have died anyway since I haven't seen any workers of any species around. As I haven't looked too close at the larger queen, It is possible that she is a Prenolepis imparis queen, but I doubt it as it is too early for them, but then again, I have seen Crematogaster ashmeadi fly in June, several months before their flights, so it is possible that it was an early flight, I'll just have too look at her closer I guess.

 

*Update* The smaller queen was a Lasius claviger and the larger queen was Lasius neoniger.

Edited by CloudtheDinosaurKing, November 11 2018 - 8:43 PM.

[PurdueEntomology]

Have you found any Proceratium spp?

[Ferox_Formicae]

Have you found any Proceratium spp?

No, but I've been on the lookout for them.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Crematogaster lineolata is flying tonight! I saw some alate females earlier testing out their wings under the watch of their sisters and I saw some males running in and out of another nest at the park today. So far I've only seen one male a my porch light, but I have a feeling the female are coming. Be on the lookout for them tonight!

[Ferox_Formicae]

I finally managed to catch a Cremaogaster lineolata queen that was resting on my porch this afternoon. I'm nearly certain she is fertile as a male approached her and she tried to bite him and started to chase him away. She's a feisty one! Some more Lasius are having their nuptial flights as well. They and some Crematogaster males were swarming all over my moms car that was parked under a light in a parking lot. My mom and sister were terrified of them while I casually collected some in my aspirator. One male actually stuck on the car the whole drive home! Brachymyrmex patagonicus is also flying.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Cematogaster are still flying. This is the third time I have seen them have their nuptial flights this year, I saw them once in June, again in August, and now again in November! A male actually ended up on my kitchen table somehow.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Saw some Crematogaster sp. males on my recycling bin yesterday after returning from my trip to the mountains of North Carolina. I have yet to see any females, but I'm still on the lookout. It rained quite a bit last night, so I will see if any come to my porch light tonight. I am very surprised that Crematogaster are having their nuptial flights. Pfft, small window of time, more like year round. I've seen them fly in June, August, October, November, and December!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Sorry I haven't updated on the species I've seen in a while, but I've been seeing a few flights lately. On April 6th, I found a dead male Prenolepis imparis in a pool of water. On the 7th, I found a Crematogaster lineolata queen wandering across my fence, and a Camponotus chromaiodes queen under a board. On the 8th, I found two Lasius interjectus queens on my porch. I also found several Camponotus chromaiodes queens and males that night. I also saw two Camponotus snellingi queens on my fence and one male. The next night I found a Camponotus snellingi male. On the 13th, I found a Crematogaster lineolata queen inside of a hollow twig and a Camponotus decipiens queen nearby. I also found a founding Camponotus chromaiodes queen in a rotting log with eggs. The nest day I found another Camponotus snellingi queen in my wood pile. I've seen some alates in nests too. I've seen Nylanderia fasionensis alates, Tapinoma sessile, and Linepithema humile. More nuptial flights should be starting up soon.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Camponotus nearcticus

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: April 28, 2019

Time: 2:00PM

Temperature: 84F

Humidity: 39%

Wind: 11MPH

Rain: 2 weeks ago

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Nylanderia sp.

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 1st, 2019

Time: 3:30 PM

Temperature: 80F

Humidity: 50%

Wind: 4mph

Rain: About 2 weeks ago

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Camponotus nearcticus

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 1st, 2019

Time: 9:00 PM

Temperature: 73F

Humidity: 72%

Wind: 4mph

Rain: About 2 weeks ago

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Camponotus nearcticus

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 2nd, 2019

Time: 9:00 PM

Temperature: 71F

Humidity: 73%

Wind: 4mph

Rain: About 2 weeks ago

[Ferox_Formicae]

It's finally rained! It'll be raining throughout the weekend, so you know what that means...MORE NUPTIAL FLIGHTS!!!!!!!! 

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Camponotus castaneus, Camponotus nearcticus

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 5th, 2019

Time: 10:00 PM

Temperature: 83F

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 1mph

Rain: Heavy rains yesterday

 

*edit* Forgot to mention that I also found an unidentified black Formicine male. He kinda looked like a Camponotus nearcticus male, but he was too small. I'm not entirely sure what he could've been, but I didn't see any queens, so I'm not really able to identify him.

Edited by CloudtheDinosaurKing, May 6 2019 - 7:32 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Woah, hold up! You found a castaneus queen after flights? Lucky!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Woah, hold up! You found a castaneus queen after flights? Lucky!

Well it wasn't a queen, it was just a male. I have yet to see a Camponotus castaneus queen during their flights.

[TennesseeAnts]

Yeah males are all I see.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Yeah males are all I see.

The only Camponotus queens I've seen attracted to lights are Camponotus nearcticus queens. I have seen Camponotus snellingi and Camponotus chromaiodes queens at night though in my backyard, but they had not been attracted to my light.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Species: Solenopsis invicta

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 6th, 2019

Time: 4:00 PM

Temperature: 80F

Humidity: 53%

Wind: 5 mph

Rain: Sunday

 

Species: Nylanderia sp.

 

Location: Irmo, South Carolina

Date: May 6th, 2019

Time: 5:00 PM

Temperature: 81F

Humidity: 50%

Wind: 5 mph

Rain: Sunday