1113 replies to this topic

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

 

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.

 

It was 60 degrees for the second time of the year yesterday by me, so when should I look?

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, March 26 2020 - 10:26 AM.

[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.

 

It was 60 degrees for the second time of the year yesterday by me, so when should I look?

 

Has to be above 66 degrees at the coldest, and 78 degrees at the warmest.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

so I need to look for the days it's low to mid 70's for a high. Thanks!

[TennesseeAnts]

So it looks like my new Prenolepis colony is Prenolepis imparis testacea, a common subspecies/variant in the Eastern US, whereas my other queens are just Prenolepis imparis. 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

interesting

[TennesseeAnts]

Prenolepis imparis testacea (Colony #1)
3-26-20

Went back to the rock to collect any workers or queens I missed, and came back with 2 more queens and a dozen or so workers. I wouldn't be surprised if more will show up later.

[TennesseeAnts]

Formica pallidefullva (Colony #2)
3-26-20

Already have a dozen or so eggs!

[RushmoreAnts]

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.

The required temperatures don’t happen until April or May, usually. Camponotus fly even later, in June or even July.

[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.

The required temperatures don’t happen until April or May, usually. Camponotus fly even later, in June or even July.

Yes. Dakota is a much different environment than Tennessee.

[RushmoreAnts]

Still beautiful though.

[TennesseeAnts]

It's gonna be a few hours, but I am undertaking a huge project, and I have a surprise for all you followers!!!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, March 26 2020 - 2:35 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

This. Is about to get. Interesting.

Edited by AntsDakota, March 26 2020 - 2:36 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

He's certainly peaked my interest...

[TennesseeAnts]

I'll tease you guys one more time, then it's back to the "project":

They are polygynous, polymorphic and extremely aggressive.

[RushmoreAnts]

Pheidole?

[madbiologist]

Formica?

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[TennesseeAnts]

Okay guys, I just finished the extraction. I had to dig 2 ft deep and 3 ft wide to get the entire colony, and it's a pretty young colony! Only about 2 years old, and the colony contains 2 queens and 275-300 workers. They don't even have full sized workers yet! I guess I'll reveal their identity now.

The colony is Formica subsericea! I'm moving them into a Fortress nest as I type. So far they seem enthralled by the leaf litter/debris in the outworld, and are rearranging it.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, March 26 2020 - 4:02 PM.

[madbiologist]

I was right!!

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[TennesseeAnts]

Formica subsericea (Colony #1)
3-26-20

They seem to have settled down now, and the queens are gorgeous! They are completely surrounded by their workers. The XL tube they're in seems to be okay for now, but I will move them once they start to to expand in a month or so.

Formica integra (Colony #1)
3-26-20

I got 2 more biological workers from under the rock today. The colony is up to about 15 large larvae, 20 new eggs and 10 small larvae. Growing pretty well so far! I will get this other queen as soon as I can, and then I will dig the rest of the colony out, as they are still a small colony only founded last year.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, March 26 2020 - 4:31 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

subsericea are polygynous and polymorphic? I wasn’t sure on either......