1113 replies to this topic

[madbiologist]

Ok guys! We have a new addition to the Journal! I set up a trap over a local Formica pallidefullva colony, and when I checked today there was 3 queens and several dozen workers! I only took 2 queen, so as to let the colony continue on, and took around 1.5 dozen workers. I will make that an even 2 dozen tomorrow.

How do you set a trap for Formica?

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[TennesseeAnts]

Ok guys! We have a new addition to the Journal! I set up a trap over a local Formica pallidefullva colony, and when I checked today there was 3 queens and several dozen workers! I only took 2 queen, so as to let the colony continue on, and took around 1.5 dozen workers. I will make that an even 2 dozen tomorrow.

How do you set a trap for Formica?
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I've explained it a few times here, but I'll do it again.

The trap I used for this colony is the most simple I've developed so far. Basically place a flat stone over the mound, and on a warm and sunny day lift it up. If there's a queen, go ahead and collect her in one container, and her workers in the other. Repeat over the next few weeks or until there are no workers returning to the surface.

[madbiologist]

Oh, didn't know you meant that one.

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[TennesseeAnts]

Oh, didn't know you meant that one.
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Ueah, I wouldn't use the Neivamyrmex method on Formica.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

[deleted due to ignorance]

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, March 25 2020 - 2:09 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

how do you set up a 'trap'?

.........Ehem......

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I edited it lol

[RushmoreAnts]

Traps...... Interesting. Would someone please explain these to me........   

[TennesseeAnts]

Traps...... Interesting. Would someone please explain these to me........   

Basically the ants are drawn out of their nest and under the stone by the stone's ability to conduct heat. This works especially well in spring/early summer. 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

makes sense...also explains Lasius's nesting habits

[RushmoreAnts]

It was a joke........

[TennesseeAnts]

It was a joke........

Ah... Ok then

[TennesseeAnts]

Ponera pennsylvanica (Colony #1)

3-26-20

 

Found this colony living within an old log, along side an unidentified species of Strumigenys. It contains a single queen, 45-50 workers and some eggs that the queen laid yesterday.

[TennesseeAnts]

Ok guys! I flipped a rock and found a small Prenolepis imparis colony with 40-50 workers and 2 queens! They are extremely lightly colored, almost yellow instead of the orange/brown my other queens are.

[TennesseeAnts]

Prenolepis imparis (Colony #2)
3-26-20

They have successfully moved all their workers, repletes and queens into the tube.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

nice, I'll have to look for them because they sound interesting and because of their unique repleates! If I can't find Aphenogaster Fulva, I'll have to keep my eyes out for them next year!

[TennesseeAnts]

nice, I'll have to look for them because they sound interesting and because of their unique repleates! If I can't find Aphenogaster Fulva, I'll have to keep my eyes out for them next year!

Nah man! They're still flying! Any day in spring over 68 degrees is a good day to find Prenolepis.

[RushmoreAnts]

Here they haven’t even began flying yet.

[TennesseeAnts]

Here they haven’t even began flying yet.

Oh wow. They've flown three times here already. We're set to have our second Camponotus flights tonight, with some Prenolepis flight later this afternoon.

[madbiologist]

They're teasing me. I've found 2 mature colonies, and alates are just going in and out of the nest. I've seen 5 queen alates, and none are flying yet.

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