170 replies to this topic

[UpperLeft]

I am new to ant keeping, so this may be wrong, but I'm in Lindon and found a wingless tetramorium queen this evening at about 7pm in my driveway, and about 20 yards away, what I believe was a winged drone (though could be wrong about the species of both). I only saw one of both, so can't say that there was a nuptial flight for certain. My camera isn't great, but she's black, with slight stripes on her abdomen. Anyone else see any flying today?

[Kaelwizard]

It is probably Tetramorium. The light stripes show up because her gaster is distended from food.

[UtahAnts]

Found some type of Camponotus queen dead on my porch this morning, it probably flew last night:

 

Weather on June 2

-22% humdity

- High of 84

- Few clouds and little wind

 

 

[bobross1232]

I was walking back from a barbecue when I caught what appears to be a tetranarium queen. A couple of hundred feet later I caught another one. I'm posting a picture of each of them, hopefully, i got the species correct.

Attached Images

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[UtahAnts]

Yeah that's definitly tetramorium. I've never seen them fly so early, although I am located in the springville area. Here they start mass flights on june 21, nearly to the exact date every year.

Edited by AntsUtah, June 11 2021 - 8:28 PM.

[bobross1232]

I'm currently living across the lake from you in Saratoga Springs, so I'm unsure if there is enough of a geological difference to make flights much later. However, it has felt a bit hotter at this time of year than usual, which may have something to do with it. 

[Rmoshe]

How beautiful they are 

[1utah]

Hello Hello, I am from Provo, Utah, Under the shadow of Slate Canyon. I hope to learn and even add vale to this forum. I Have collected two unique queens of unidentified species.

I will post pictures at a later time.

 

1. Queen found at Deer Creek Reservoir.

A larger sand and rock dwelling species. Does not sting or show aggression.

Workers have a silver haze stripe at abdomen.  

 

 

2. Queen found along pavement in suburban area. 

small, common "pavement ant"

 

Thank you, Best of Luck 

[NickAnter]

 

Found some type of Camponotus queen dead on my porch this morning, it probably flew last night:

 

Weather on June 2

-22% humdity

- High of 84

- Few clouds and little wind

 

 

 

Camponotus laevigatus/laevissimus.

[UtahAnts]

Lots of tetramorium and some temnothorax drones in the last week.

 

Found two queens I couldn't ID at my blacklight tonight:

 

Weather:

Temp. during blacklighting period: 82 f

Wind: 10 mph

Mostly cloudy, blocked most moonlight

Humidity: 28%

 

Queen #1: around 10 mm

 

 

 

Queen #2: around 10 mm, she seems parasitic, perhaps lasius

 

 

 

[UtahAnts]

In last week or two, I've found hard evidence of Formica, Camponotus, Lasius (semi claustral and parasitc), Tetramorium, and possibly Tapinoma sessile all flying. As well as a large flight of termites after a large rainstorm. Still looking for Pheidole and Pogonomyrmex.

[NickAnter]

The second queen is indeed a parasitic Lasius, the first one might be as well, or just a claustral Lasius. Not 100% sure on that first one.

[UtahAnts]

Looks like Pheidole ceres is about to fly, look out for them after a rainstorm at night:

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Found tons of founding Formica fusca group queens under rocks lately, here's a founding chamber with a couple queens: (sorry about the blurry images)

 

 

A dead drone:

 

 

I also caught Solenopsis molesta and Tetramorium queens recently as well. The Pheidole are ever elusive...

 

And just look at all the Laius neoniger alate pupae, they fly around late august to labor day here:

 

[muddsnake88]

Hello all,

I've been looking around and I have found that there is no anting or nuptial flight watch for the state of Utah. So I thought I would start one for ant keepers that live in Utah now, and for a future reference for ant keepers who might live in Utah or close by. In this thread, anything relating to ants can be posted, specifically nuptial flights, member introductions, local ants, and even ant shops for those interested in buying.

Some quick ant statistics for those of you who are new, Utah has 225* native species, the majority of them being, Formica, Camponotus, Crematogaster, and Lasius.

 

So glad I found this thread! This is my first season of ant keeping and trying to catch queens. However, I've only managed catch Tertramorium that took flight in the early-mid part of June. I live in West Jordan, work in Provo. If anyone notices any nuptial flights that would be greatly appreciated! I've been coming up short in my searches and this thread has been real inspiration, lol. 

Edited by muddsnake88, July 16 2021 - 8:18 PM.

[UtahAnts]

Welcome to the forum, we need more Utah keepers! It might just be our area but this year has been pretty underwhelming for nuptial flights. If you live in a suburban area, Formica can be found on fences during the afternoon.  One of the more reliable ways to find queens is to go up the nearby canyons. Provo canyon is a pretty good place to find Formica, Camponotus, and even Pogonomyrmex species. 

[muddsnake88]

Thanks for the warm welcome!My son spotted this gal while we were hunting for ant hills and I think she has some real potential. Not sure on her size. I think 5 or 6 mm. Found in scrubland. Magna, Ut. About 8:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by muddsnake88, July 18 2021 - 8:40 AM.

[UtahAnts]

Great find! It's a pogonomyrmex species, probably occidentalis based on what I can see. You'll want to place her open test tube in a foraging area with seeds.

[muddsnake88]

Great find! It's a pogonomyrmex species, probably occidentalis based on what I can see. You'll want to place her open test tube in a foraging area with seeds.

Thanks! I got her into a test tube and just need to set up the outworld. Kind of weird, can't help feeling like we kidnapped, lol.

[UtahAnts]

Large Pogonomymex occidentalis flight in Vineyard Utah today, saw multiple flights around the area, with 100's, if not 1000's of queens in each

 

 

 

Weather:

Time: Began abrubtly at 11:30, lasted for a few hours.

Temp: 83-88 degrees

Wind: Low, 4-8 mph

Humidity: High, around 30 degrees

 

There was a morning rainstorm the day before, but no flights.