123 replies to this topic

[Mdrogun]

 

Am I the only one here that hates Tetramorium immigrans with a passion? They are invasive, generic, and uninteresting. A lot of what fuels my hatred is that they edge out native ants that are really, really cool. Like the Pheidole pilifera-group spp., and many species I'll never know they edge out.
 
Maybe I'd be on board the Tetra train if they grew faster, but even then it's not substantially faster than some of our natives, and in specific cases, slower than some native ants.

I might jump off the Tetra train if my natives were being affected. However, as I said before, there’s a nice balance between them and the natives. There’s simply too many Lasius and Formica completely dominating the area for them to have a chance of total invasion and destruction of the native ecosystem.

 

You are not realizing the damage they have caused because they were already established when you started paying attention to them. You don't think it's strange how the only dominant myrmicinae you're finding is the invasive Tetramorium immigrans? I don't know about you, but that would indicate to me that they likely replaced a number of native species that originally filled the niche.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

They found they're place in the ecosystem though, so they can't cause that much more harm. RIFAs on the other hand have not, and thus, can still cause worlds of harm. Same with Argentine Ants

[Mdrogun]

They found they're place in the ecosystem though, so they can't cause that much more harm. RIFAs on the other hand have not, and thus, can still cause worlds of harm. Same with Argentine Ants

This is not true. I know Antscanada has spread the myth that Tetramorium immigrans is "naturalized" in North America. There is no scientific backing for this, at least that I could find. There are still parts of the United States where they are in the process of spreading.

[RushmoreAnts]

Am I the only one here that hates Tetramorium immigrans with a passion? They are invasive, generic, and uninteresting. A lot of what fuels my hatred is that they edge out native ants that are really, really cool. Like the Pheidole pilifera-group spp., and many species I'll never know they edge out.

Maybe I'd be on board the Tetra train if they grew faster, but even then it's not substantially faster than some of our natives, and in specific cases, slower than some native ants.

I might jump off the Tetra train if my natives were being affected. However, as I said before, there’s a nice balance between them and the natives. There’s simply too many Lasius and Formica completely dominating the area for them to have a chance of total invasion and destruction of the native ecosystem.

You are not realizing the damage they have caused because they were already established when you started paying attention to them. You don't think it's strange how the only dominant myrmicinae you're finding is the invasive Tetramorium immigrans? I don't know about you, but that would indicate to me that they likely replaced a number of native species that originally filled the niche.

Solenopsis molesta are ten times more dominant than them. There are more of their alates than Lasius, yet they’re more subterranean. Doesn’t mean they’re any less dominant, though. Myrmica are also somewhat common. And there’s also a variety of natives still present including Brachymyrmex depilis, Dolichoderus sp, Ponera pennsylvanica, Temnothorax sp, Dorymyrmex insanus, some Aphaenogaster rudis, among others. So for your information, Tetramorium is NOT the only dominant Myrmicinae, (actually, they’re so uncommon that I wouldn’t even consider them dominant outside of the little areas the natives shoved them in to), so native diversity is still prevalent. Just because Lasius and Formica happen to be the most dominant does not mean they’re the only natives around! I’ve found natives that haven’t even been recorded in the state! That’s just how diverse we are, in spite of Tetramorium’s presence.

Edited by AntsDakota, February 29 2020 - 6:36 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Ok, point taken

[RushmoreAnts]

They found they're place in the ecosystem though, so they can't cause that much more harm. RIFAs on the other hand have not, and thus, can still cause worlds of harm. Same with Argentine Ants

This is not true. I know Antscanada has spread the myth that Tetramorium immigrans is "naturalized" in North America. There is no scientific backing for this, at least that I could find. There are still parts of the United States where they are in the process of spreading.

Well, it’s true here. Our natives have learned to control the fire and not be burned by it. I suppose you have a hard time believing that due to your hate for them.

[ANTdrew]

Tetramorium dominate in disturbed habitats filled with the Eurasian invasive plants they coevolved with. I’ve actually seen them decline first hand in my native plant garden. Native ants, including Pheidole, seem to be displacing them. If you plant it, they will come.

[Mdrogun]

 

 

 

Am I the only one here that hates Tetramorium immigrans with a passion? They are invasive, generic, and uninteresting. A lot of what fuels my hatred is that they edge out native ants that are really, really cool. Like the Pheidole pilifera-group spp., and many species I'll never know they edge out.

Maybe I'd be on board the Tetra train if they grew faster, but even then it's not substantially faster than some of our natives, and in specific cases, slower than some native ants.

I might jump off the Tetra train if my natives were being affected. However, as I said before, there’s a nice balance between them and the natives. There’s simply too many Lasius and Formica completely dominating the area for them to have a chance of total invasion and destruction of the native ecosystem.

You are not realizing the damage they have caused because they were already established when you started paying attention to them. You don't think it's strange how the only dominant myrmicinae you're finding is the invasive Tetramorium immigrans? I don't know about you, but that would indicate to me that they likely replaced a number of native species that originally filled the niche.

Solenopsis molesta are ten times more dominant than them. There are more of their alates than Lasius, yet they’re more subterranean. Doesn’t mean they’re any less dominant, though. Myrmica are also somewhat common. And there’s also a variety of natives still present including Brachymyrmex depilis, Dolichoderus sp, Ponera pennsylvanica, Temnothorax sp, Dorymyrmex insanus, some Aphaenogaster rudis, among others. So for your information, Tetramorium is NOT the only dominant Myrmicinae, (actually, they’re so uncommon that I wouldn’t even consider them dominant outside of the little areas the natives shoved them in to), so native diversity is still prevalent. Just because Lasius and Formica happen to be the most dominant does not mean they’re the only natives around! I’ve found natives that haven’t even been recorded in the state! That’s just how diverse we are, in spite of Tetramorium’s presence.

 

That's actually great to hear! I forget that South Dakota has an average population of one person per every 100,000 square miles . I see how this has effected our views. I live in the Midwest, suburbs of Chicago, and the story is unfortunately much different over here. They just do so much better because the environment is way more disturbed, I guess. It literally is Formica spp., Lasius spp., Camponotus spp., Tapinoma sessile, and Tetramorium immigrans. I unfortunately was the one that introduced the Tapinoma sessile when I was a child because I purchased them and then released them not knowing better. The Tetramorium immigrans still easily account for ~75% of the ant biomass in my area. Their nuptial flights are so loud that it sounds someone outside has a dump truck full of flies. Nothing about that is natural or healthy for the ecosystem. I have visited large state parks that have areas clear of Tetramorium immigrans. I finally then get to see Illinois' cool natives, like Aphaenogaster cf. mariae and Pheidole pilifera. As you can imagine this has made me despise Tetramorium immigrans. 

[RushmoreAnts]

The environment is pretty disturbed here, as well. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Pierre, Yankton, among others, are all just as suburban as a suburb of Chicago, and not from ten miles up. See the houses, roads, businesses, apartments, freeways, all the disturbance of a suburban environment. Look at a satellite view on Google Maps. Natives still rule in these areas.

Edited by AntsDakota, March 1 2020 - 5:13 AM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

So what we should do is plant, it helps according to ANTdrew, and he's been antkeeping longer than we all have

[RushmoreAnts]

Well, I don’t need to.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Yeah, I'm just saying as general advice for people who live in disturbed ecosystems... 

[ANTdrew]

So what we should do is plant, it helps according to ANTdrew, and he's been antkeeping longer than we all have

I actually haven’t been keeping ants very long. I’ve been into native plants for a long time, though. They’re not a cure-all or magical, but they do help boost diversity.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah, and I've only been keeping for 1.5 years now, so not much to make my ant keeping career pale in comparison... 

[ponerinecat]

Tetramorium dominate in disturbed habitats filled with the Eurasian invasive plants they coevolved with. I’ve actually seen them decline first hand in my native plant garden. Native ants, including Pheidole, seem to be displacing them. If you plant it, they will come.

maybe that's why I don't have tetras, my entire area is just native scrub and forest.

[ANTdrew]

Definitely, ponerinecat.

[NickAnter]

Sadly, Argentines seem to thrive on these native plants. I personally would rather have Tetras than Argentines. I have found native ants here, but they only account for about 5% of the ant fauna here. There is however, sections of my neighborhood that are dominated by Monomorium minimum, so I think it is them which has made my neighborhood somewhat diverse, and this area in general. If I go just a mile or so inland, I find no natives. In fact, I find areas with no plants around here, with just native, sparse grass, seem to be the best for native fauna.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

ok, good observation! This can help people who are seeking to stop Argentine ant spread and growth!

[ponerinecat]

yeah, argentines don't seem to care about the habitat too much.

[Canadant]

My queen is up and laying eggs. I have about 30 workers. I'm so stoked for this season. These guys should grow really fast.
Gonna be awesome!

I got my formica through winter for the first time. she's laying again now with about 15 workers.