6 replies to this topic

[NicholasP]

So, as some of you might of heard I am moving to Michigan soon! I unfortunately do not know when the first nuptial flights of the year start. If anyone knows please let me know in the comments section!

[Kaelwizard]

Prenolepis in late April, Camponotus in May and June, Tetramorium in June and July, Formica in late July and early August, Crematogaster in August (in massive numbers but a short window), Myrmica in late August but you can find queens foraging in May, Ponera in September. These are very general time frames, but I hope it helps.

[Kaelwizard]

Here are some interesting things I noted while living there:

Camponotus pennsylvanicus and novaeboracensis fly in huge numbers in the evening together, with novaes starting slightly later in the day.

I never saw a Temnothorax nuptial flight, but they seem more active in August so it is easier to find and collect them then.

Crematogaster and Lasius (forgot to mention in previous post that Lasius fly in late August) will usually fly on a single day or throughout a week, but if you miss the flight it can be hard to find them.

Aphaenogaster queens can be found under pretty much anything in July and August (forgot to mention that in the previous post), and A. tennenseenensis (probably spelled that wrong) are found early in the summer seeking out colonies. Pretty sure they fly either early in the morning or at night so I always missed the flights. They will also raise the first generation of workers before hibernation, so if you miss everything else’s flights they are a nice backup if you are desperate to keep something.

 

I also had a winged Ponera queen fall onto my hand really early in the summer. I'm not sure what it was doing out at that time as they fly way later.

Edited by Kaelwizard, March 6 2022 - 12:37 PM.

[NicholasP]

Wow. Thanks so much! I was wondering if you also know when acanthomyops group species like Lasius interjectus fly?

[James C. Trager]

@NicholasP:

 

Lasius spp. generally fly late August - early September, with some as late as early October.
However, L. interjectus seems to overwinter in the nest and flies in mid-late spring, alates sometimes appearing in basements in winter!
L. americanus (formerly known as L. alienus) flies in August and typically is done flying by the time the late August fliers emerge. 

When in Michigan, track down the publications of Dr. Mary Talbot, which contain abundant natural history information on most ants from there.

In particular, look for her final publication, a grand summary of her 26 year study, published as "Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 202".

[NicholasP]

@NicholasP:

 

Lasius spp. generally fly late August - early September, with some as late as early October.
However, L. interjectus seems to overwinter in the nest and flies in mid-late spring, alates sometimes appearing in basements in winter!
L. americanus (formerly known as L. alienus) flies in August and typically is done flying by the time the late August fliers emerge. 

When in Michigan, track down the publications of Dr. Mary Talbot, which contain abundant natural history information on most ants from there.

In particular, look for her final publication, a grand summary of her 26 year study, published as "Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 202".

Thank you very much for this information Mr. Traegar! I will make sure to look up the publications of Dr. Mary Talbot.

[Kaelwizard]

Lasius aphidicola was by far the most common parasitic Lasius species in my area, and I found them mainly in spring and August.