17 replies to this topic

[TheMicroPlanet]

So I know things like this tend to get, well, heated sometimes, but i'll ask anyway. So let's say, hypothetically, that a nuptial flight in state A spills over into state B. If the species in state A isn't native to state B, can a person in state B legally keep any queens that fly over the border?

[ANTdrew]

If a nuptial flight spills over into another state, then wouldn’t the ants be native?
If you’re talking about native species and not harmful invasives, I say don’t ask, don’t tell.

[TheMicroPlanet]

The reason i'm asking is because Colobopsis (a genus I really admire) are native to New Jersey. So if a Colobopsis queen were to fly across the border, would It be legal for me to keep it?

[RushmoreAnts]

Yes, because you’re not bringing it across state lines. It would’ve got there naturally.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I guess that works unless states make specific species illegal to own rather than illegal to transport.

[RushmoreAnts]

I guess that works unless states make specific species illegal to own rather than illegal to transport.

Though those restrictions do not apply to any ant besides Solenopsis invicta in some states.

[TheMicroPlanet]

So what if somebody from Maine drove all the way to California, caught a native queen, drove to the California/Nevada border, let the queen cross the border by herself, then cross the border into Nevada, collect the queen, drive to the Nevada/Utah border, and do the same thing until they get the queen to Maine? tEcHnIcAlLy, the queen crossed the border on her own, so tEcHnIcAlLy, the queen nAtUrAlLy ended up in Maine. (Why someone would take the time and effort to do this, and how someone would manage to keep the queen alive that long, i know not).

[FeedTheAnts]

So what if somebody from Maine drove all the way to California, caught a native queen, drove to the California/Nevada border, let the queen cross the border by herself, then cross the border into Nevada, collect the queen, drive to the Nevada/Utah border, and do the same thing until they get the queen to Maine? tEcHnIcAlLy, the queen crossed the border on her own, so tEcHnIcAlLy, the queen nAtUrAlLy ended up in Maine. (Why someone would take the time and effort to do this, and how someone would manage to keep the queen alive that long, i know not).

I asked this exact question years ago as a joke, but then immediately realized that it could be a real situation. Like ANTdrew said, as long as they are native to the state you're bringing them to and not invasive, don't ask don't tell. No one cares whether or not you found a ridiculous technicality.

[ANTdrew]

This could become more and more common as our climate warms and the northern limits of species get fuzzier. The northward expansion of native ant species is something I'd love to see more research about.

[RushmoreAnts]

I’d like to see some more cryptic Ponerinae myself. More Camponotus diversity would also be nice, as well as some Crematogaster.

[ANTdrew]

I think rainfall and resulting vegetation is the limiting factor for you guys in terms of Crematogaster, not temperature. Of course, I could be wrong.

[RushmoreAnts]

We do get a decent amount of rain, especially in the spring.

[Ants_Dakota]

There are crematogaster here in the black hills.

[TennesseeAnts]

There are crematogaster here in the black hills.

The only place I've seen Cremas in South Dakota is the black hills.

[RushmoreAnts]

There are crematogaster here in the black hills.

The only place I've seen Cremas in South Dakota is the black hills.

Oh, you’ve been here? Also I concur.

[TennesseeAnts]

There are crematogaster here in the black hills.

The only place I've seen Cremas in South Dakota is the black hills.

Oh, you’ve been here? Also I concur.

I've been all over the country. Last I counted it was 28 states. My favorites were California and Texas. Saw some really cool ants there.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 5 2020 - 6:49 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

The crematogaster here has a dull red head and thorax and a black abdomin.

[RushmoreAnts]

The crematogaster here has a dull red head and thorax and a black abdomin.

Probably cerasi.