2467 replies to this topic

[AntsCalifornia]

Scrixx found some flights of Formica and I caught some S. invicta in my pool (killed them ). This might mean that something will fly tonight or tomorrow...

[Enderz]

Is anyone planning on going to try and catch queens Tuesday night?

[dspdrew]

BTW, tonight and Sunday night should be good for black lighting in the hills and canyons. Judging by these temps and the date, Pogonomyrmex californicus will probably fly Sunday if not Saturday. I would expect to see Liometopum occidentale, and possibly Solenopsis molesta, S. xyloni, Temnothorax and the possibly parasitic species Crematogaster cf. mutans fly as well.

 

I have no clue if anymore Camponotus will fly in the higher elevations after the ridiculous spring we have had. This is however, almost the exact same date that we found some of the giant unidentified Camponotus queens (likely Camponotus CA02) in Trabuco Canyon. These are found in lower elevations where there is less vegetation.

 

Other than the Pogonomyrmex, all of these species would be flying right before, or after dark.

[Enderz]

Thank you drew, maybe I will head out tonight considering I have time. Good Luck to all!

[SirAnticus]

What would be some good trails to check out then, for any spp.

[Enderz]

What would be some good trails to check out then, for any spp.

I think Chaney Trail would work tonight, that is all I really know.

[AntsCalifornia]

Does anyone know if you can find Pogonomyrmex in pools?

[StopSpazzing]

Does anyone know if you can find Pogonomyrmex in pools?

They aren't attracted to light I thought? Which is why they fly in morning-late afternoon. Guess it's possible but unlikely.

[gcsnelling]

Pogonomyrmex will sometimes show up at lights but not routinely.

Edited by gcsnelling, June 2 2018 - 2:59 PM.

[Enderz]

Spazz says he found a single P. californicus queen near the santa ana river. He noted that there were only a few pogonomyrmex nests in the area, so maybe there would be more queens in places with more nests.

[JasonD]

Yep, Pogonomyrmex flew in orange county hills. I'll probably be selling a few extra that I caught. 

[Enderz]

Yep, Pogonomyrmex flew in orange county hills. I'll probably be selling a few extra that I caught.

Do you think they will still be out tomorrow or tonight?

[JasonD]

Id guess so yeah. Plus, since they are semi claustral, you should be able to find them foraging during the day for the next couple weeks. 

[JasonD]

And Drew is right a second time. I just got back from another hike in the hills and every solenopsis xyloni nest I passed had alates outside the nest preparing to fly. Anyone know what time of night these fly? I'm planning a night hike

[Solenoqueen]

Solenopsis Molesta flew at Lake Hodges, I got to witness it and caught two female alates and six males(with a net). Should I hunt there again tomorrow or?

 

(gg drew for prediction)

Edited by Solenoqueen, June 2 2018 - 6:55 PM.

[dspdrew]

All I saw last night were a few Solenopsis molesta males and one queen, but I was in a bad spot. I'll be going to Trabuco Canyon tonight. There was an inversion layer around the Twin Peaks/Lake Gregory area, so it actually got warmer as I went up. It was about 70 degrees up there around 10:00 pm, but nothing flying, so all the mountain Camponotus flights are definitely over.

[JasonD]

Same. All I found last night were several hundred solenopsis xyloni males, no queens. I must have been too late. 

[SirAnticus]

Just got back from Chaney trail, found one Liometopum occidentale queen. Also found a solifugid. Solenopsis xyloni was preparing to fly when I left at around 6:30.

[dspdrew]

Well I went black lighting in Trabuco Canyon last night with StopSpazzing, and we found Solenopsis molesta, S. xyloni, Temnothorax sp. and Crematogaster cf. mutans.

 

So it looks like with the Pogonomyrmex californicus, and Liometopum occidentale others have reported finding, I can't help but notice my prediction was 100% correct.   Did anyone find anything else?

[Enderz]

Well I went black lighting in Trabuco Canyon last night with StopSpazzing, and we found Solenopsis molesta, S. xyloni, Temnothorax sp. and Crematogaster cf. mutans.

 

So it looks like with the Pogonomyrmex californicus, and Liometopum occidentale others have reported finding, I can't help but notice my prediction was 100% correct.   Did anyone find anything else?

Nurbs went out and caught Pogonomyrmex californicus, one Liometopum occidentale, and some Solenopsis xyloni.