9 replies to this topic

[Chickalo]

Hullo there, people of Formiculture

 

After recently discovering the existence of a Prenolepis imparis colony only a minute walk from my house (one more species to add to my town's list!), I realised:  How the heck am I supposed to know when they're gonna fly?  As one does, I turn to the internet.  Obviously after rain tends to be a given.  However, what about temperature, wind, etc?

 

I live in Swampscott, Massachusetts, which might help considering the same species might have different needs depending on their location.  Hopefully the forecast is accurate, so I can look for Prenolepis queens whilst pretending to tie my shoe when someone walks around, hoping they don't notice the test tube.

 

Thanks once again,

Chickalo

[TennesseeAnts]

Literally the first few warm days in March and April.

[CheetoLord02]

mid afternoon (usually like 1-4pm)
over 68 degrees (fahrenheit)
usually wind doesn't matter much since they fly in forests
they fly in forests so look there lol

[AleeGuy]

It's really easy predict their nuptial flight since the only thing they care is temperature and that's it. Go out when the temperature is above 68 Fahrenheit and for the time of the day it happens on the warmest time of the day which is usually around 2-4 pm.

Edited by AleeGuy, March 26 2021 - 11:29 AM.

[Chickalo]

It's really easy predict their nuptial flight since the only thing they care is temperature and that's it. Go out when the temperature is above 68 Fahrenheit and for the time of the day it happens on the warmest time of the day which is usually around 2-4 pm.

It's literally 4 degrees off right now what a scaaam

The highest temperature next week is 60 and raining, why can't Massachusetts have nice weather in early spring???

Welp.  I'm off to feed some wild Preno

Edited by Chickalo, March 26 2021 - 11:33 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

I have found a single infertile queen (about a billion percent sure she is just based on behavior alone). The queens I find are often just on the sidewalk and they will come out even when it is really windy.

[Mettcollsuss]

Basically seconding what others have said.

They'll fly on the first set of warm days of the year (usually ~60°F/15°C in my experience). Having rain beforehand is useful, but they'll still fly without it as long as the temperature is right. 

[Antcatcherpro3]

Based off my expirence, they fly at warm tempatures like 68 degrees F, in the afternoon , like around 3-5, and when there is usally now wind. The day after I caught a lot of queens, it was windy, and I didn't catch any queens. They weren't flying.

edit: the now was suppose to be no.

And right after a rainstorm.

[MinigunL5]

Look on on a day that has been preceded by a warm day or 2(most days in Massachusetts now are warm enough). They'll fly at the hottest period of the day so generally look when it 68+ degrees (they can fly at lower temps but usually won't have big flights). They usually fly 1-5 pm. Also, even hotter temps will probably lead to bigger flights. Also also, if a colony is in the sun they will be more likely to fly in colder temps compared to a colony that is not in the sun.

Disclaimer: This is just what I've heard from experienced people and based off then flights that have already happened in MA.

Edited by MinigunL5, March 27 2021 - 8:17 PM.

[AleeGuy]

I have found a single infertile queen (about a billion percent sure she is just based on behavior alone). The queens I find are often just on the sidewalk and they will come out even when it is really windy.

Ye that's a common thing, they do even in 10mph. If the wind speed is over that then they will just do it on the ground and in forests, since in forests there is less winds because of trees blocking some of it.