30 replies to this topic

[dermy]

I found these queens [and more] on May 22/2015, at about 6pm-8pm. I only found them around my area, which is weird, and means the main flight hasn't taken up yet, but I'm hopeful that once this cold spell warms up we will get the next flight!

 

 

Two Pics, one of a Winged Queen and one of the Queen in this journal:

She is pretty calm for a Camponotus queen, she sits nice!

Edited by dspdrew, May 30 2015 - 2:29 AM.
Fixed title spelling

[Lamarr]

I'm pretty jealous! It seems like she's Camponotus pennsylvanicus queen from the pictures. Congrats on your catch!

[AntsNY]

I almost had a Camponotus pennsylvanicus queen today. They were in my cherry tree.

 

I used to have a large colony for years. They are my favorite.

[dermy]

It's hard to tell from my pictures but the legs are rusty red and there is more on the other parts.

 

I'll try to get better pictures someday

 

The queen on my finger has some eggs.

[Crystals]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus does not occur in Saskatchewan.  It is very likely Camponotus herculeanus, which is the one of the more common species on the edges of the boreal forest in Alberta and Saskatchewan.  He caught this one when I was also reporting flights of Camponotus herculeanus, so I am pretty sure she is Camponotus herculeanus.

 

Hopefully this queen does better than her successors. 

 

Has she laid any eggs yet?

[dermy]

Yes about 7-10, she is doing very well I got to say.

 

I'm almost 100% it's Camponotus hearculeanus. I've seen pictures of Camponotus pennsylvancius [spelling] and they look like their might be pure black, these aren't they have rusty red on them, and the workers also have a bit on them. [From nests I've seen anyway]

[dermy]

Just noticed larvae, I think. I'm very unsure at the moment if this queen is even fertile.

[LC3]

Don't loose hope!

[dermy]

They are definitely larvae now I can see that line [i think it's their stomach?] anyway everything seems to be doing well!

[LC3]

Larvae have tiny nubs on the end and have a more detailed surface compared to a smooth round egg.

[dermy]

I'm thinking they are larvae then. Hopefully she gets workers before I go back into hibernation!

[LC3]

It's July she should have enough time.

[dermy]

I can't believe she still doesn't have workers, she has some nice larvae but no cocoons yet.

[LC3]

Same. Even though she has workers she has no eggs but a pile of big larvae that won't pupate.

[dermy]

I've heard Camponotus does that around this time of the year, wouldn't be too surprised if they didn't turn into workers at all this year.

[LC3]

Camponotus:the definition of wasting time

[BrittonLS]

Or they're just getting an early start on next year!

[William. T]

Camponotus:the definition of wasting time

But when they get a nantitic, it's thebest feeling in the world.

[spytim]

Camponotus:the definition of wasting time

Perhaps for some people... ;D lol I'm joking, yeah Camponotus are really hard to get started!  

[dermy]

No cocoons yet but the larvae are finally starting to grow a bit more. The queen keeps them in the weirdest place ever right up top and doesn't "guard" them like usual queens do.