2467 replies to this topic

[Tanks]

what months are best to go and catch P.cali?

Edited by Tanks, June 10 2023 - 2:05 PM.

[dspdrew]

what months are best to go and catch P.cali?

May and June.

[Tanks]

So they already flew? I thought they flew when it's hotter?

[AntsCali098]

It hasn't been hot enough here for them.

[Tanks]

Do you guys think that there might be a nuptial coming up at the end of the week in Shadow Hills? Look at the forecast https://imgur.com/a/IxCgflTand if there are any flights than what species will fly?

[dspdrew]

Solenopsis xyloni, S. molesta, Pogonomyrmex. californicus, P. subnitidus, Veromessor andrei, and some Temnothorax species i know all fly around this time and have flights triggered by heatwaves.

[Tanks]

So does that mean that P.cali will fly on that day if the weather is like that? If so, than if I go on a sandy trail with multiple colonies of P.californicus will I have a good chance of catching queens? Also, what time should I go at to catch queens, what about the rain?

 

 

 

Solenopsis xyloni, S. molesta, Pogonomyrmex. californicus, P. subnitidus, Veromessor andrei, and some Temnothorax species i know all fly around this time and have flights triggered by heatwaves.

[AntsCali098]

Don't overthink it. Just go on a hotter day this month or next. Preferably 85-90.

[Tanks]

Don't overthink it. Just go on a hotter day this month or next. Preferably 85-90.

Ok, but what time should I go at?

[ReignofRage]

P. californicus are obligate foragers during founding, meaning you don't have to worry about being there the exact day they fly. Going in the morning and evening will usually be when gynes forage.

[Tanks]

what does gynes mean?

Edited by Tanks, June 11 2023 - 1:02 PM.

[Tanks]

P. californicus are obligate foragers during founding, meaning you don't have to worry about being there the exact day they fly. Going in the morning and evening will usually be when gynes forage.

So could I go to one area one day than to another spot the next day?

Edited by Tanks, June 11 2023 - 1:01 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Fancy way of saying queens.

[Tanks]

oh ok

[Tanks]

So my weather app is saying that at 3:00PM on Saturday the weather will be at it's highest temperature in the location I'm going to anting at. Will the queens take flight before or after the heat reaches it's peak?

Edited by Tanks, June 12 2023 - 10:50 PM.

[AntsCali098]

Usually the day of

[Tanks]

I know that but on Saturday do I go and hunt for queens before, during, or after the hottest point of the day?

 

 

Usually the day of

[Tanks]

So I can't go to the place I planned to go to catch some queens tommorow so I'll need to go a different day to catch queens while they forage or dig their chambers up. What is the best way to identify the holes to their chambers where the queen resides? How do I dig the queens up safely? What time should I go at to catch the foraging queens?

[AntsCali098]

Usually during, you want to go 12-2 pm. That's when I find most. Just dig the queens with a shovel, it'll be fine. Usually, the chambers are a hole with a bit of a messy hill around it.

[AntsCali098]

This may help
https://www.formicul...unding-chamber/