1113 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

Do you guys know if P. tysoni is polygynous?

Idk. That's why I put mine together.

[RushmoreAnts]

Or we could start a petition to exempt a few species. A few I would do are: Prenolepis imparis, Camponotus americanus, Camponotus castaneus, Camponotus pennslyvanicus, Camponotus chromaiodes,
Camponotus fragilis, Pogonomyrmex badius, Lasius americanus, Lasius brevicornis, Lasius neoniger, Formica pacifica, Formica pallidefullva, Formica neogagates, Formica subsericea, Formica obscuripes, Formica neorufibarbis, Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Acromyrmex versicolor, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Odontomachus bruennus, Colobopsis impressa, Colobopsis obliqua Colobopsis mississippiensis.

Did you ever get anywhere with this? Just curious.

[Kaelwizard]

Well some of those are plant pests so I don’t think they would be exempted.

[madbiologist]

Well some of those are plant pests so I don’t think they would be exempted.

The only plant pest I see would be Acromyrmex.

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[TennesseeAnts]

 

Or we could start a petition to exempt a few species. A few I would do are: Prenolepis imparis, Camponotus americanus, Camponotus castaneus, Camponotus pennslyvanicus, Camponotus chromaiodes,
Camponotus fragilis, Pogonomyrmex badius, Lasius americanus, Lasius brevicornis, Lasius neoniger, Formica pacifica, Formica pallidefullva, Formica neogagates, Formica subsericea, Formica obscuripes, Formica neorufibarbis, Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Acromyrmex versicolor, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Odontomachus bruennus, Colobopsis impressa, Colobopsis obliqua Colobopsis mississippiensis.

Did you ever get anywhere with this? Just curious.

 

Nope. I never got anywhere at all.

[Kaelwizard]

Well some of those are plant pests so I don’t think they would be exempted.

The only plant pest I see would be Acromyrmex.

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That’s also the only one I see. I just skimmed before so I didn’t know if there were more. That’s why I said that.

[RushmoreAnts]

I suppose they consider any species that farms and protects aphids (which can be very destructive especially if they have ants defending them from predators) a plant pest.

[TennesseeAnts]

I suppose they consider any species that farms and protects aphids (which can be very destructive especially if they have ants defending them from predators) a plant pest.

All ants (besides Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) are plant pests according to the USDA. One reason the govt. needs to get off the couch and fix these blanket-laws. 

[RushmoreAnts]

 

I suppose they consider any species that farms and protects aphids (which can be very destructive especially if they have ants defending them from predators) a plant pest.

All ants (besides Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) are plant pests according to the USDA. One reason the govt. needs to get off the couch and fix these blanket-laws. 

I agree. And I also don't completely understand their reasoning concerning P. occidentalis. I mean, if you released a P. occidentalis colony and a Lasius americanus colony into an Illinois cornfield, which one do you think would do more damage? A Lasius sp. or a literally SEED HARVESTER? Imo P. occidentalis is a plant pest.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

I suppose they consider any species that farms and protects aphids (which can be very destructive especially if they have ants defending them from predators) a plant pest.

All ants (besides Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) are plant pests according to the USDA. One reason the govt. needs to get off the couch and fix these blanket-laws. 

I agree. And I also don't completely understand their reasoning concerning P. occidentalis. I mean, if you released a P. occidentalis colony and a Lasius americanus colony into an Illinois cornfield, which one do you think would do more damage? A Lasius sp. or a literally SEED HARVESTER? Imo P. occidentalis is a plant pest.

 

Shhh! Don't let them hear you!

[TechAnt]

I suppose they consider any species that farms and protects aphids (which can be very destructive especially if they have ants defending them from predators) a plant pest.

All ants (besides Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) are plant pests according to the USDA. One reason the govt. needs to get off the couch and fix these blanket-laws.

I agree. And I also don't completely understand their reasoning concerning P. occidentalis. I mean, if you released a P. occidentalis colony and a Lasius americanus colony into an Illinois cornfield, which one do you think would do more damage? A Lasius sp. or a literally SEED HARVESTER? Imo P. occidentalis is a plant pest.

Well Pogonomyrmex do actually help the environment because any seeds they can’t eat will sprout and grow. In fact this is how all harvester ants help the environment. So they sort of give back, but I get your statement, would you rather buy something and get 50 cents back or a full dollar back in change for the same product at the same price.

I also agree that they should have people look over all the ants in the U.S. and decide if they are a plant pest or not. Even if they do that stuff like Acromyrmex will never be cleared to ship around the U.S. unfortunately, but there is a fair reason for it.

[madbiologist]

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis are surprisingly low risk when it comes to becoming invasive. They have very specific habitat requirements that many areas even within their native range can't provide. I know someone in Colorado who tried to seed them into his yard for many years, even releasing 3 year old colonies, and yet none could survive.

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[TennesseeAnts]

Update: 9/5/20

 

Pheidole tysoni

--------------------

One queen remains, so it is safe to conclude that these (at least my variety) is not polygynous. She has a nice pile of brood, and about 15 workers. I am not confident in the survival of the colony, however, as the queen is missing a few tibiae...

 

Pheidole bicarinata

-------------------------

In this colony 2 queens remain, with a promising amount of brood and about 25 workers. I am a slight bit optimistic that these could possibly be polygynous. They have their first major larvae, and possibly a major pupa. This colony seems promising!

 

Pheidole dentata

----------------------

This colony has taken off, and they now have rebound back to about 300 workers, with new majors popping up every couple days. I found a dead Tennessee Shad when I went fishing the other day, and fed it to this colony. I also decided to give them a dead Crayfish, which they loved. They have somewhere around 250 or so larvae and pupae and a small batch of eggs.

[TennesseeAnts]

Also, I have an update video coming out, starring my one and only Solenopsis molesta colony, so look out for that later this evening!

[TennesseeAnts]

Here y 'all go! It's a little early, but it's fine. Lol.

 

[ANTdrew]

Woah! An update!

[TennesseeAnts]

Woah! An update!

Yeah, most of my ants are still doing good, but I've been busy with other things recently. Just haven't had much time to upload videos or write out updates.

[TennesseeAnts]

Update: 9/7/20

 

Pheidole bicarinata

-------------------------

The colony still has 2 queens, one winged and one without wings. They're up to around 25-30 workers, with a good brood pile. Oh yeah, guess what I saw in the tube today... A major larva and pupa! The pupa is still very white, so it probably just transformed. The larva is getting ready to pupate as well. In a little less than a week they should have 2 teeny majors!

[Antkid12]

Nice!!!! got any pics? My pheidole bicarinata have their second major pupae.

[TennesseeAnts]

Nice!!!! got any pics? My pheidole bicarinata have their second major pupae.

I'll try to get some tonight.