2467 replies to this topic

[PTAntFan]

tons of activity and alates near the entrance at Vazquez right now.

[PTAntFan]

I think something might have flown recently up here. Haven't found any alive yet, but at two separate Pogonomyrmex colonies I've seen what appear to be dead dealates.

[PTAntFan]

alates at 5 of 8 Pogonomyrmex nests now. Saw some.males at one too.. Massive foraging going on. Long trails from nests into the scrub.

[Wamdar]

Following your progress!

[dspdrew]

Pogonomyrmex californicus usually flies late morning.

[PTAntFan]

I wore down. I wasn't properly rested and prepared, certainly not to go on into the evening.  I found no living dealates but it was a great afternoon just seeing so much activity.  What a difference a couple of weeks makes.  The Pogonomyrmex were out in FORCE today.  Here's some footage, you can even see an alate or two:

 

https://onedrive.liv...AB8dgi-q0LCjJNM

 

Also saw other species out making a living; Camponotus, Formicinae (possibly Brachymyrmex), Formica and maybe some Monomorium.  These are all guesses of course.  I took a sample of the Pogonomyrmex I saw and one other species and will put them up for ID tomorrow or Monday.

[dspdrew]

I think there is a good chance P. californicus could fly tomorrow if the weather is as forecast.

[PTAntFan]

That's circa 9-11am?  I have mother's day obligations, but may be able to back out there or up to Lake Piru on a "picnic compromise."

[Gregory2455]

No flights here today.

[Wamdar]

great video! I too have been monitoring the local Pogonomyrmex nests. I have yet to see any alates roaming around but I'll look everyday and check

[dspdrew]

Formica francoeuri had a big mating flight today around the Cajon Pass. I got 32 queens. I also found a whole F. moki colony under a log near Crestline. Dorymyrmex insanus, Solenopsis invicta, S. molesta, Nylanderia, and I think some sort of parasitic Lasius also flew today.

[PTAntFan]

Wow, Drew!  You are a master of the anting art.  I have several hours free today and may drive out there. Got a GPS coordinate?

[dspdrew]

There were dealates running all over this place. I'm sure if you turned over a few rocks, you would find some.

 

San Bernardino National Forest, 7200-7598 Abiel Barron Memorial Highway, Phelan, CA 92371, USA
Latitude: 34.316662 | Longitude: -117.50015

 

 

The place where I actually saw them flying was here:

 

San Bernardino National Forest, 280-15798 Keenbrook Road, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
Latitude: 34.251303 | Longitude: -117.455864

[Foogoo]

Pogonomyrmex californicus usually flies late morning.

Interesting, good to know. I would've thought night since that's when you found a number of them according to your map. I didn't see anything other than males poking their heads out this weekend.

 

Also saw other species out making a living; Camponotus, Formicinae (possibly Brachymyrmex), Formica and maybe some Monomorium.  These are all guesses of course.  I took a sample of the Pogonomyrmex I saw and one other species and will put them up for ID tomorrow or Monday.

Where did you see the Camponotus? I know they're around the SGV, but I've yet to see any in the area.

[PTAntFan]

first GPS is somebody's backyard! LOL. Heading to new coordinates now.

[PTAntFan]

Mormon rocks is closed. Hmm.

[Foogoo]

first GPS is somebody's backyard! LOL. Heading to new coordinates now.

Hm? Google maps is showing it as the field at Mormon Rocks.

 

Mormon rocks is closed. Hmm.

Ditto when I dropped by on a Monday afternoon once. The USFS site lists it as open, so I wonder if there's some hazard or the ranger fell asleep...

[dspdrew]

I'm not even sure exactly what "closed" means. Lots of times parking lots or roads are closed off, but it doesn't mean you can't go past the gate on foot. It's usually just closed to vehicles.

 

You can park right on the side of the road just outside the gate. They recently put up a bunch of orange fencing, so I'm not sure what that means, but I've seen people hiking there before when the gate's closed.

[PTAntFan]

:DThe coordinates didn't come thru for me right the first time I saw the post. In fact the formatting in the post was weird. But I got here. I drove past the park to the next street southbound and 1/4 mile up there is a turnout. Parked and walked in a ways. 4 Formica Fran. Queens so far.

[dspdrew]

Oh okay. Lone Pine Canyon Road. There should be plenty around there too.