2467 replies to this topic

[AntObserver]

Ahh yeah. Just a weird weather year. But appreciate the insight! 👀🐜🐜

[100lols]

Yeah great information! Thanks Andrew.

Typically, if there is a year with no rain, do the desert ant sp. just skip flight until the next year when conditions are right?

I noticed at my house all the smaller ant sp. flew when the humidity spiked. Would that also trigger flight in the desert? Or as you mentioned, is it only when there is rain?

[CAantz]

The summer monsoon season usually starts in late June and goes until the end of September. There are usually a few times during this period that the moisture pushes all the way into the desert in Southern CA and causes the popup thunderstorms we need for most mating flights in the desert.

I just saw your video about the Myrmecocystus placodops nuptial flight in the Mojave Preserve. Are they flying because there was rain, or do they not use rain as a trigger to start their mating flight?

[CAantz]

Yeah great information! Thanks Andrew.

Typically, if there is a year with no rain, do the desert ant sp. just skip flight until the next year when conditions are right?

I noticed at my house all the smaller ant sp. flew when the humidity spiked. Would that also trigger flight in the desert? Or as you mentioned, is it only when there is rain?

Sorry, I just realized that I basically repeated your question.

[dspdrew]

Yeah great information! Thanks Andrew.

Typically, if there is a year with no rain, do the desert ant sp. just skip flight until the next year when conditions are right?

I noticed at my house all the smaller ant sp. flew when the humidity spiked. Would that also trigger flight in the desert? Or as you mentioned, is it only when there is rain?

 

The only time it's humid in the desert is when the ground is soaked from rain.

 

 

 

The summer monsoon season usually starts in late June and goes until the end of September. There are usually a few times during this period that the moisture pushes all the way into the desert in Southern CA and causes the popup thunderstorms we need for most mating flights in the desert.

I just saw your video about the Myrmecocystus placodops nuptial flight in the Mojave Preserve. Are they flying because there was rain, or do they not use rain as a trigger to start their mating flight?

 

Yes, they only fly after it rains.

[100lols]

I suppose in a way that makes life easy. Just have to keep eyes on the weather…

I found some potentially good spots not too far from home with confirmed sightings of the sp. I’m primarily after at the moment. Hopefully the information on Antmaps along with iNaturalist proves to be helpful.

Thanks again fellas!

Edited by 100lols, July 16 2023 - 10:25 PM.

[AntsCali098]

This might be helpful. It's my list of socal anting spots gathered from this site, many drew went to years ago. Also the link is to some desert towns in CA, some good for anting.

Landers CA
Phelan/Victorville CA
Yucca valley CA
Adelanto CA
Goffs CA
San Juan Loop trail, Cleveland national forest CA
Chiriaco Summit CA
Mecca CA
Trabuco Canyon CA
Tecopa
https://californiacr...-in-california/

[AntsCali098]

What time of day do Myrmecocsystus fly here? Hoping to catch some of their late flyers and Acromyrmex versicolor at the end of the month

Edited by AntsCali098, July 20 2023 - 2:49 PM.

[dspdrew]

Different species fly at different times.

[AntsCali098]

What is the range for when they fly in general?

[CAantz]

I don’t know about what time Honeypots fly, but Acromyrmex fly early in the morning after rain. Because they have fungus pellets you want to catch them as they are mating. For honeypots, you don’t need to catch them when they are mating, and if you find the area where there was a flight, you can just dig up their founding chambers to find the queen.

[100lols]

From my research the exact time of day for the nuptial flight can vary depending on the region and local environmental factors. However, in many cases, ant nuptial flights often occur during the late morning(9am-ish?) or afternoon(4-7pm?) when the temperature and weather conditions are favorable. Mind you, this is all from experience with small ants and research.

Just a reminder for anyone new like me reading with us, when searching for mating queens, pay attention to areas where the parent colony is located or areas nearby that may be suitable for their nuptial flight activities.

I personally have been keeping my eyes on a M. mimicus colony that’s about 45 minutes from my home. Just knowing where the parent colony is will hopefully increase my chances…

Edited by 100lols, July 22 2023 - 9:13 AM.

[AntsCali098]

I've also done some research, finding that Acromyrmex versicolor often fly shortly after sunrise. I'll probably just look throughout the day for honeypots.

[100lols]

Looks like we may be experiencing some anting weather… sprinkling at my place currently xD

…forecast shows rain throughout San Diego County, Anza-Borrego, and Joshua tree as well possibly…

Edited by 100lols, July 23 2023 - 9:54 AM.

[CAantz]

I also saw that. It said that it was sprinkling at Joshua tree, but 0.05 inches. I am assuming that is not nearly enough to get ants to fly, or am I wrong?

[Tanks]

We recently got some rain here and I'm wondering what are some good spots to go catch some queens in LA and Pasadena? I'm not looking for a specific species but as long as they're not tiny or like argies or B.patagonicus.

[dspdrew]

I also saw that. It said that it was sprinkling at Joshua tree, but 0.05 inches. I am assuming that is not nearly enough to get ants to fly, or am I wrong?

 

In the desert, less than 1 inch of rain from a downpour is barely going to make the ground wet.

[AntsCali098]

Looks like we may be experiencing some anting weather… sprinkling at my place currently xD
…forecast shows rain throughout San Diego County, Anza-Borrego, and Joshua tree as well possibly…

I was planning on going to Joshua the 31st, but it looks like little chance of rain now. Maybe early August.

[100lols]

I’ve never trusted the weather forecasts! But this does appear to be a dud…

Saw this little guy out by some Pogonomyrmex rugosus workers today.

Edited by 100lols, July 23 2023 - 10:16 PM.

[AntsCali098]

Dang...Now it looks like no rain even at the beginning of August