6 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Does anyone think it's worth making a list of times of day of typical flights? This is what I have based on my experience and literature:

 

Pogonomyrmex californicus: 1100-1300

Solenopsis invicta: 1300-1500

Veromessor: mid-morning

Myrmecocystus: evening

Camponotus: morning

Formica francoueri: 1000-1200

Pheidole: pre-sunrise

Edited by Foogoo, June 17 2015 - 3:36 PM.

[Subverted]

I don't have any experience seeing actual flights of things other than Pogonomyrmex...but from what I have gathered on here:

 

Liometopum: 8-10pm

Pheidole: evening

Dorymyrmex: late morning

Edited by Subverted, June 17 2015 - 10:08 AM.

[WeatherAnt]

Could this can be incorporated into the mating chart somehow? Maybe a clickable "notes" or "details" section on the chart incorporating time of day, weather conditions, people's observations, video footage, etc.  

Edited by WeatherAnt, June 17 2015 - 10:24 AM.

[dspdrew]

This was all going to be part of the new mating chart I'm working on, but the only problem is, I've realized that the majority of the alate/dealate sightings aren't always at the time they actually flew. I never took note as to which sightings were an actual mating flight taking place without a doubt at the exact time reported. I kind of wish I did, but there is no way I'm searching back through the entire internet again. I am still keeping track of the times in any reports I add to the database, but these are probably not going to paint a very accurate picture of what time they actually fly. It might help a little bit though, after all I do leave out times when they obviously have nothing to do with when the queen likely flew, like if someone tears open a log or digs up a founding chamber. But again, it is part of the data base and so I might even make a chart that breaks things down based on time.

[Foogoo]

This was all going to be part of the new mating chart I'm working on, but the only problem is, I've realized that the majority of the alate/dealate sightings aren't always at the time they actually flew. I never took note as to which sightings were an actual mating flight taking place without a doubt at the exact time reported. I kind of wish I did, but there is no way I'm searching back through the entire internet again. I am still keeping track of the times in any reports I add to the database, but these are probably not going to paint a very accurate picture of what time they actually fly. It might help a little bit though, after all I do leave out times when they obviously have nothing to do with when the queen likely flew, like if someone tears open a log or digs up a founding chamber. But again, it is part of the data base and so I might even make a chart that breaks things down based on time.

It certainly won't be scripture but I think it can still be useful to have integrated with the mating chart. For example, I did not know Myrmecocystus flew in the evening, so if I were out at noon, I'd know to be looking for founding chambers more than alates. And if I were out in the morning, I'd know I have a better chance at finding Pheidole and Camponotus wanderers than Solenopsis.

[dspdrew]

Of course it helps to know the times they fly, but the problem is most of these reports don't tell us that, only the time they found their queen.

[WeatherAnt]

I'll make sure I keep note of the time when I see flights for now on.