2467 replies to this topic

[Enderz]

Here is a pic of a minor and a small major from the same nest as the super major who got away.

http://www.formicult...p/?fromsearch=1

Nice ant, too bad you didn't get a queen.

[dspdrew]

So we are having a slight heatwave after 2 months of below 70 degree temps. Apparently some queens have already started to fly. Tonight should be the warmest. It looks like this is almost the exact date and weather conditions that all the large Camponotus species among other genera flew in the foothills and low-elevation oak forests in 2017, the last time we got a lot of rain. This is the same exact date in 2017 that I found the Myrmecocystus wheeleri queen, so I'm of course going to go check and see if they might have flown. I'll be looking for the legendary Camponotus CA02 as well after dark.

[StopSpazzing]

So we are having a slight heatwave after 2 months of below 70 degree temps. Apparently some queens have already started to fly. Tonight should be the warmest. It looks like this is almost the exact date and weather conditions that all the large Camponotus species among other genera flew in the foothills and low-elevation oak forests in 2017, the last time we got a lot of rain. This is the same exact date in 2017 that I found the Myrmecocystus wheeleri queen, so I'm of course going to go check and see if they might have flown. I'll be looking for the legendary Camponotus CA02 as well after dark.

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8

Chaney Trail tonight, not accepting no from my wife lol. Anyone want to meet up???????????

[Rstheant]

lol, your wife will want a divorce.

Edited by Rstheant, March 17 2019 - 11:29 AM.

[WestLA_DO]

So we are having a slight heatwave after 2 months of below 70 degree temps. Apparently some queens have already started to fly. Tonight should be the warmest. It looks like this is almost the exact date and weather conditions that all the large Camponotus species among other genera flew in the foothills and low-elevation oak forests in 2017, the last time we got a lot of rain. This is the same exact date in 2017 that I found the Myrmecocystus wheeleri queen, so I'm of course going to go check and see if they might have flown. I'll be looking for the legendary Camponotus CA02 as well after dark.

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8
Chaney Trail tonight, not accepting no from my wife lol. Anyone want to meet up???????????

Was thinking of going but not sure how to deal with the parking. Do you guys just leave before 8? Or park down the hill and then hike up and back?
Or just stay overnight 🤣

[Dargus]

Same question lol

[Enderz]

 

 

So we are having a slight heatwave after 2 months of below 70 degree temps. Apparently some queens have already started to fly. Tonight should be the warmest. It looks like this is almost the exact date and weather conditions that all the large Camponotus species among other genera flew in the foothills and low-elevation oak forests in 2017, the last time we got a lot of rain. This is the same exact date in 2017 that I found the Myrmecocystus wheeleri queen, so I'm of course going to go check and see if they might have flown. I'll be looking for the legendary Camponotus CA02 as well after dark.

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8
Chaney Trail tonight, not accepting no from my wife lol. Anyone want to meet up???????????

Was thinking of going but not sure how to deal with the parking. Do you guys just leave before 8? Or park down the hill and then hike up and back?
Or just stay overnight

 

Depends on what you want. But, I think they close the gates after dark or something. If this is true, I would just park outside and hike up. I think there is a rule where on Friday night or something they leave it open.

[dspdrew]

From what I've been told, they permanently closed the gates. So I think no matter what we will be hiking up there. Maybe I'm wrong. Nurbs would know.

[StopSpazzing]

From what I've been told, they permanently closed the gates. So I think no matter what we will be hiking up there. Maybe I'm wrong. Nurbs would know.

wow really? dafuq? That is an insane walk to get there. That REALLY sucks if this is the case.

[WestLA_DO]

What time is everyone planning to get there? I guess I’ll park at W Loma Alta and hike up. Eeek

[KBant]

I’m bored and I’m down to go too! Let’s do it! Please DM me too if y’all go and where to meet up.

[Zeiss]

Walked around UCR hills today and found nothing but a few Solenopsis invicta queens that I dispatched on the spot.  Seemed too dry here, but it was a very clear and nice to see the county and then some.

[WestLA_DO]

If anyone wants to join, KB and I are going to meet at Loma Alta before turning onto Chaney around 8 and hike up. Otherwise, we’ll see some of you up there?

Edited by WestLA_DO, March 17 2019 - 5:53 PM.

[anttics]

Sounds tempting to go to channey trail. I do not want camps. That hibernate.in my hunting grounds around San Fernando valley. camps do not need hibernation. Ill report. There are at least 3 species of camponptus around here. With salsabean being the biggest.

[WestLA_DO]

Reporting in from the field. Lots of Camponotus queens

[anttics]

It was almost a bust for me. I caught 2 camp. Sansabeanus. These are large. 1 looks fat the other not so much. Heading home. Ill get then some nectar before putting them away for a month. I'm happy now i have a non hybernating sansabeanus. Ill probably head tomorrow to channey trail. It seems there are 1000s of queens there every year.

I expect 18mm super majors from the fat large queen.

Edited by anttics, March 17 2019 - 9:36 PM.

[WestLA_DO]

Haul from tonight from Chaney:

 

 

33 Camponotus sansabeanus or vicinus (majority sansabeanus. I'm too tired to figure it out right now)

4 Camponotus clarithorax

2 Camponotus quercicola

1 Liometopum occidentale (not pictured. Gave it to nurbs  )

 

Good seeing KB, nurbs, drew, and meeting Scrixx (I think?).

 

There were still a lot of queens sitting at the entrances, not yet flying, so could be another flight again later when it warms up again.

 

Good night!

Edited by WestLA_DO, March 18 2019 - 12:10 AM.

[nurbs]

 

1 Liometopum occidentale (not pictured. Gave it to nurbs  )

 

Good seeing KB, nurbs, drew, and meeting Scrixx (I think?).

 

There were still a lot of queens sitting at the entrances, not yet flying, so could be another flight again later when it warms up again.

 

Good night!

 

 

Caltech thanks you!

[KBant]

First successful anting trip. My legs are sore af. Nice seeing everyone and a big thanks to West LA for being awesome hiking/anting partner and nurbs for showing us around and giving me snacks.


Chaney Haul

38 Camponotus sansabeanus or vicinus (majority sansabeanus, also too tired to figure it out right now)
4 Camponotus clarithorax
1 Camponotus maritimus

4 Camponotus Sansabeanus, maybe vicinus, died. RIP

[Zeiss]

First successful anting trip. My legs are sore af. Nice seeing everyone and a big thanks to West LA for being awesome hiking/anting partner and nurbs for showing us around and giving me snacks.


Chaney Haul

38 Camponotus sansabeanus or vicinus (majority sansabeanus, also too tired to figure it out right now)
4 Camponotus clarithorax
1 Camponotus maritimus

4 Camponotus Sansabeanus, maybe vicinus, died. RIP

Nice Camponotus maritimus catch.