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NickAnter's Pheidole navigans Journal

Started By NickAnter , Dec 28 2018 8:11 PM

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112 replies to this topic

#41 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 29 2019 - 6:58 PM

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Well, right on que, the Nylanderia queen laid about 30 more eggs. They are catching up quick at about 20 workers!

Oh, and the Pheidole have not touched the honey. IDK why, maybe they would prefer sugar water.

Edited by NickAnter, August 29 2019 - 6:59 PM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#42 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 28 2020 - 9:33 AM

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I have found another queen! The season has begun. All the old colonies died due to mold outbreaks and neglect. Not this time though!


  • TennesseeAnts, ANTdrew, RushmoreAnts and 3 others like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#43 Offline Antkid12 - Posted May 28 2020 - 10:03 AM

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Nice! Pheidole are so cool!  Not sure why i can't find any.


Edited by Antkid12, May 28 2020 - 10:03 AM.

Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#44 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 28 2020 - 11:30 AM

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They might not be in your area, or have not flown yet.

 

 

 

Also.........  She has settled down near the wet end of the tube, which I have found to be a good sign of fertility or being mated with these queens, so hopefully she will get workers in about a month or so.


Edited by NickAnter, May 28 2020 - 11:31 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#45 Offline M_Ants - Posted May 28 2020 - 12:13 PM

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It hasn't rained recently. How come you found a queen?


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#46 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 28 2020 - 12:43 PM

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Extremely high humidity. It has been for days. You might see some stuff down there too soon. If it is pretty humid there, enough for it to be foggy, then maybe you could blacklight at like 5:00 am. I just found this queen at like 9:50 am in my pool.


Edited by NickAnter, May 28 2020 - 12:56 PM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#47 Offline M_Ants - Posted May 28 2020 - 12:44 PM

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That would be amazing!


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#48 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 28 2020 - 12:58 PM

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If I find a bunch more I may start selling some as well. Its just that they are non-native.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#49 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 29 2020 - 7:38 AM

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I found an alate this morning at about 8:15. I just barely saw her on the edge of a curb.

 

M_Ants: They are probably flying in your area, be sure to look in the early morning for them, or just use a blacklight at like 5:00am.

 

Yesterdays queen already has an egg or two, and does not care at all about being checked upon. She just sits there perfectly still, which is most unlike all the other queens I have found of this sp. The alate seems to be of a lighter color than the dealate, and is far more easily startled, like most of the queens are.


  • TennesseeAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#50 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 29 2020 - 7:56 AM

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I found an alate this morning at about 8:15. I just barely saw her on the edge of a curb.

 

M_Ants: They are probably flying in your area, be sure to look in the early morning for them, or just use a blacklight at like 5:00am.

 

Yesterdays queen already has an egg or two, and does not care at all about being checked upon. She just sits there perfectly still, which is most unlike all the other queens I have found of this sp. The alate seems to be of a lighter color than the dealate, and is far more easily startled, like most of the queens are.

Pheidole are best found at night, between 8 and 10 pm for me. Otherwise you just get the leftover alates that may not have mated.


  • ANTdrew likes this

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#51 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 29 2020 - 8:13 AM

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AntDude, these are strictly morning flyers.


  • TennesseeAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#52 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 29 2020 - 10:03 AM

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AntDude, these are strictly morning flyers.

I was talking about my local Pheidole, but yes, it would appear so.


My Main Journal | My Neivamyrmex Journal | My Ant Adoption | My YouTube

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#53 Offline M_Ants - Posted May 29 2020 - 12:07 PM

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Should I go to somewhere like Mission Trails or just blacklight from my house? Only see Argentine ants around here.


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#54 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 29 2020 - 12:57 PM

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I would stay around your house. They are mostly found in the suburbs and urban areas. They are very easy not to notice.  You might want to just take a walk in the morning as well. But blacklighting will probably give you the most queens. I just don't want to blacklight in the morning now, as they aren't flying in huge numbers, and I don't want to be tired all day because I woke up at 5 and didn't find anything. But that's just me.


Edited by NickAnter, May 29 2020 - 12:57 PM.

  • TennesseeAnts and RushmoreAnts like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#55 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted May 29 2020 - 4:03 PM

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Here suburban areas are too well landscaped and have too many trees to suit Pheidole. Ants4Fun claims to have seen them in rural, open areas. I’ll have to get out there sometime.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#56 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 29 2020 - 5:44 PM

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Well, these are invasive Pheidole, so they nest everywhere.


  • RushmoreAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#57 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted May 29 2020 - 6:07 PM

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Yeah, makes sense. Our natives aren't even polygynous.  :(


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#58 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 29 2020 - 6:37 PM

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Neither are these. They are extremely strictly monogynous.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#59 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 6 2020 - 8:23 AM

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  I think the first two queens are unmated. I caught 4 more queens today though. Hopefully they will do better. I also, sadly saw a dead native Pheidole species queen. It looked like a miniature P. gilvescens. The 4th queen today is crazy restless, so I may just release her.


Edited by NickAnter, January 24 2021 - 10:13 AM.

  • TennesseeAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#60 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 9 2020 - 7:14 AM

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So much for that haha. It is the very first queen that is fertile/mated, and has a few medium larvae. All the other seem unmated. She should get workers in a few weeks.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

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