15 replies to this topic

[Antkid12]

So, I live in Fairfax county and last summer I went to Virginia beach and I was surprised to find there were many different species I had never even dreamed of living in Virginia. There was Solenopsis invicta, trachymyrmex species, and many others i had never seen in the upper part of Virginia. (I didn't take anything except a few worker specimens) that's why I think they should make the rules in square miles or something, and not state borders. 

Edited by Antkid12, April 28 2020 - 11:03 AM.

[Manitobant]

No. Dear God no.

[RushmoreAnts]

I think only certain species should be banned, not all ants. Trachymyrmex won't hurt anything...........

[EthanNgo678]

So, I live in Fairfax county and last summer I went to Virginia beach and I was surprised to find there were many different species I had never even dreamed of living in Virginia. There was Solenopsis invicta, trachymyrmex species, and many others i had never seen in the upper part of Virginia. (I didn't take anything except a few worker specimens) that's why I think they should make the rules in square miles or something, and not state borders. 

They could be around your area but you might not have seen them.

[VenomousBeast]

I also live in Fairfax county and we do have Solenopsis invicta up here as well as Trachymyrmex (native btw). I've also noted seeing Cyphomyrmex queens at our beaches (found in the saltwater, though none survived) We just live at the capital and all the invasives are just here cause of all the international activity.

[Antkid12]

I think only certain species should be banned, not all ants. Trachymyrmex won't hurt anything...........

yeah i know... I  worded the post wrong the Trachymyrmex were cool. Just the RIFA are dangerous. 

[VenomousBeast]

 

I think only certain species should be banned, not all ants. Trachymyrmex won't hurt anything...........

yeah i know... I  worded the post wrong the Trachymyrmex were cool. Just the RIFA are dangerous. 

 

RIFA up here are illusive and hard to find, it's rather interesting. I don't see the dangers of them up here as you see down in the more southern regions and it surprised me. They tend to coexist up here more then take over like they do down there.

[RushmoreAnts]

They tend to coexist up here more then take over like they do down there.

I've noticed this with Tetramorium around here. The environment is pretty suitable for them, but everywhere you look is overran by Lasius colonies, and a few dominant Formica. Mature Solenopsis molesta colonies are also everywhere underground, so it seems these three species are making an invasion difficult. There are only a couple areas I know of that Tetramorium even exist.

[Antkid12]

 

 

I think only certain species should be banned, not all ants. Trachymyrmex won't hurt anything...........

yeah i know... I  worded the post wrong the Trachymyrmex were cool. Just the RIFA are dangerous. 

 

RIFA up here are illusive and hard to find, it's rather interesting. I don't see the dangers of them up here as you see down in the more southern regions and it surprised me. They tend to coexist up here more then take over like they do down therT

That IS interesting! strange. I'm 100% sure they don't live in my backyard tho. 

[ANTdrew]

Too many more winters like the last and they won’t be coexisting or elusive. We can kiss our diversity goodbye in that case. I really hope you’re wrong about RIFA here because I’ve never seen any and hope not to.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 28 2020 - 12:51 PM.

[Antkid12]

I haven't seen fire ants in my backyard and i have been catching queens for 3 years.    its probably because I have mostly been catching queens from our backyard or something.

[RushmoreAnts]

Too many more winters like the last and they won’t be coexisting or elusive. We can kiss our diversity goodbye in that case. I really hope you’re wrong about RIFA here because I’ve never seen any and hope not to.

I agree. Although it'd be interesting to document how Tetramorium fare against them. But I'm not saying that I want them anywhere, and I'm not even saying I want to see them anywhere just to compete with Tetramorium. Just making a comment.

[ANTdrew]

VB, can you provide photo proof of the RIFA in Fairfax?

[RushmoreAnts]

Oh....... now I can see why you're so worried. I looked it up, and Fairfax is only around ten miles west of Alexandria. 

[ANTdrew]

Oh....... now I can see why you're so worried. I looked it up, and Fairfax is only around ten miles west of Alexandria.

Yup, and we’re usually five or more degrees warmer than Fairfax for a variety of reasons.

[VenomousBeast]

Yeah, I've got several photos on my phone, I'll post them here as soon as I can!