1666 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Sure am. :]

[dspdrew]

Huge Pogonomyrmex rugosus flight in the Mojave Desert near Phelan and Victorviille, California 7-5-2014. Also flying were P. californicus, and apparently some Dorymyrmex insanus flew.

 

[Crystals]

Aphaenogaster and Lasius have lots of alate cocoons in the nests in Alberta right now.  Looks like a good year for Lasius, although the Aphaenogaster seem to have fewer alates than usual.  The Lasius should be flying in a few weeks.  The Aphaenogaster should start flying anytime - I did find a couple of early fliers, 1 male and 2 females outside of the nest.

[dermy]

Aphaenogaster? Never seen them fly in my life. Don't even think I have them here, but once I did a bug-guide look they look like that so called Myrmica, but I just don't know what they are any more .

It's hard IDing ants.

 

Formica should be rearing to go this month some time, the Lasius around me usually wait till Late Aug, or even Late Sept. Is this normal around Alberta too? I'm referring to Lasius flavus.

Edited by dermy, July 10 2014 - 9:54 AM.

[Gregory2455]

How long are:

Tapinoma sessile queens and

Forelius pruinosus queens?

[dspdrew]

About 5 mm if I remember right.

[Gregory2455]

The Tapinoma sessile queen is 5mm too? 

[dspdrew]

Pretty much.

[Crystals]

Alberta (Canada) has seen quite a few Formica aserva, some other parasitic Formica, and a Formica ulkei alate in the last 3 days.

Had another Leptothorax flight as well (those queens are so tiny... and they love my white garage).

Last year the Formica flew mid-August, so I have no idea what they think they are doing. It might be this crazy heat wave.

 

I haven't seen any Formica podzolica yet, but I have seen empty cocoons, so they could fly at any time.

Lasius have alate cocoons still, so they should still be a few weeks.

[Gregory2455]

If I am lucky, some cool species here in Idaho will fly before I have to go back to California... Too bad I'd have to release them anyway . I see a lot of alates in the mature Formica nest I found. However, it is hitting 100's around here in Fahrenheit. It is supposed to cool down later.

[dspdrew]

Two different species of Crematogaster along with Solenopsis xyloni and Solenopsis amblychila flew last night in Trabuco Canyon. California.

[Gregory2455]

Too far from me... 

[dspdrew]

Pheidole, Hypoponera, and two species of Temnothorax also flew in Trabuco Canyon.

Edited by dspdrew, February 25 2015 - 1:57 PM.

[dspdrew]

Two more species of Crematogaster flew in Pinyon Pines, California last night.

[123LordOfAnts123]

Are you collecting any delates from these flights, Drew?

[dspdrew]

Yeah I'm collecting them all, so hopefully some of them will be fertile. So far only the S. xyloni, Crematogaster, Nylanderia, and a couple of the Temnothorax have dropped their wings after being put in containers.

Edited by dspdrew, February 25 2015 - 1:57 PM.

[Gregory2455]

Any word if Myrmecocystus flew? Looks like a storm passed through Victorville a few days ago... Is it too early in he season for M.mexicanus?

Edited by Gregory2455, July 28 2014 - 10:15 PM.

[dspdrew]

Myrmecocystus mimicus flew in Blythe, California two weeks ago. We went out there Saturday, but it was too late, the ground was bone dry a few feet down.

[Gregory2455]

What about founding chambers?

[dspdrew]

We found lots of them, but the dirt was all dry and 110 degrees.