28 replies to this topic

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Mundane ants are cool. The stunning Camponotus chromaiodes can be found through most of eastern North America. Crematogaster are some of the weirdest ants out there, and there are probably some in my neighbor's kitchen right now. Prenolepis is so interesting. It's a tropical Southeast Asian ant genus but one random species fills a strange and otherwise empty niche in my own front yard.

[ponerinecat]

US is good for anting, UK can import

[NickAnter]

US is good for anting, UK can import

I like UKs native ant species!  Lasius flavus, Solenopsis fugax, Myrmica rubra, Temnothorax nylanderi and Lasius fuginosus being my favorites.

Edited by NickAnter, August 31 2019 - 3:06 PM.

[ponerinecat]

Myrmica rubra is not native

[NickAnter]

In the UK Myrmica rubra is native.

[ponerinecat]

I thought you ment US

[AnthonyP163]

 

 

I have heard that Strumigenys can be found in Wisconsin, though I have never seen them myself. Which species occur and how might I find them? I have an idea on how to house cryptic ants, basically a large hydrostone nest with lots of small chambers and no outworld, populated by springtails. Of course I actually have to find the appropriate ants before I can test this.

The Strumigenys I have found have all been underneath rocks or logs, either during light rain or after. They like humidity and moisture. I was told to look for them where springtails are. 

 

Worker specimens that I have sent to Dr. Guenard have been imaged and a match couldn't be found yet. It's a possibility that it's a new species but nothing is for sure yet. 

 

Oh wow. Did they have long or short mandibles?

 

Short.

[Leo]

Where do you guys find stigmatomma? I have no trouble finding other rare species like paratopula and Gesomyrmex, but I have never once in my life seen stigmatomma.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Stigmatomma pallipes is pretty common in Wisconsin. The surefire way to find them is to turn over rocks and logs in Northern Wisconsin forests. I think they really live all over the state, though, because I saw one in my friend's backyard once. It's always a bit of a shock to lift something up and find them inches from your fingers; I hear a sting from one of them feels like a hot needle in your hand. Luckily they aren't aggressive.