4 replies to this topic

[Efrasier1989]

I’m on a road trip and stopped in tucumcari, NM and found all these ants. I’ve never seen them before and think it might be a nuptial flight? Except none of them are flying 🤔 I’m a total novice, so don’t assume I know anything. Thank you!
1. Location (on a map) of collection: tucumcari, NM
2. Date of collection: JULY 3, 2021
3. Habitat of collection: falling down from a roof drainage pipe and swarming
4. Length (from head to gaster): really can’t say but definitely on the larger side!
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: reddish
6. Distinguishing characteristics: winged
7. Distinguishing behavior: ants dog piling on to other ants or wandering around
8. Nest description: idk
9. Nuptial flight time and date:today?


I don’t know how to post a picture so here’s a YouTube of some video I took



Also…how do I post pictures?

[Broncos]

Did rain move through there? But yea those appear to be pogonomyrmex rugosus queens and males


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[Efrasier1989]

Yes, hotel staff did say they had some heavy rain recently. Does this mean no nuptial? Also they seemed to ALL have wings.

[Broncos]

Yes, hotel staff did say they had some heavy rain recently. Does this mean no nuptial? Also they seemed to ALL have wings.

Yea. Did they say how long ago? California could get some of it finally. They should take off their wings either right after mating or never. But they need to crossbreed with pogonomyrmex barbatus to produce workers I think.

[ReignofRage]

 

Yes, hotel staff did say they had some heavy rain recently. Does this mean no nuptial? Also they seemed to ALL have wings.

Yea. Did they say how long ago? California could get some of it finally. They should take off their wings either right after mating or never. But they need to crossbreed with pogonomyrmex barbatus to produce workers I think.

 

Why would they need to cross breed with another species? California has P. rugosus flights and successful ones even though we don't have P. barbatus.