37 replies to this topic

[Jonny8040]

Hey guys,
I am not new to ant keeping as I have done it for years. I have always wanted to raise a Pheidole colony but have failed at finding any every single year. I live in southwest VA and was wondering any tips anybody could give me for Pheidole Queen catching.

Thanks!

In Jesus,
Jonny

[OiledOlives]

Blacklighting at dusk to 11 in June-July will yield pretty big numbers of P. bicarinata. 
P. tysoni fly in the early morning, at 3-5 am.
Pilifera fly during warm weather right after huge thunderstorms in July I believe. They have been reported to even be flying in the rain.

Not sure about the fallax group in VA (dentata and morrisii) and davisi.

[AntsCali098]

P.navigans in my experience fly early-late afternoon. July is the best time for navigans. Not sure if they are in Virginia though

Edited by AntsCali098, May 19 2022 - 11:17 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Blacklighting at dusk to 11 in June-July will yield pretty big numbers of P. bicarinata.
P. tysoni fly in the early morning, at 3-5 am.
Pilifera fly during warm weather right after huge thunderstorms in July I believe. They have been reported to even be flying in the rain.
Not sure about the fallax group in VA (dentata and morrisii) and davisi.

I second all this. Definitely try blacklighting.

[Jonny8040]

Blacklighting at dusk to 11 in June-July will yield pretty big numbers of P. bicarinata.
P. tysoni fly in the early morning, at 3-5 am.
Pilifera fly during warm weather right after huge thunderstorms in July I believe. They have been reported to even be flying in the rain.
Not sure about the fallax group in VA (dentata and morrisii) and davisi.

I second all this. Definitely try blacklighting.

I bought a blacklight but never tried it. Just a big white sheet with the blacklight in the middle in the field? I live in a farm so that won’t be an issue

[OiledOlives]

 

I second all this. Definitely try blacklighting.

I bought a blacklight but never tried it. Just a big white sheet with the blacklight in the middle in the field? I live in a farm so that won’t be an issue

 

[ANTdrew]

Hook it up, and you’ll probably see more Pheidole than you ever thought were there.

[OiledOlives]

I blacklighted during Pheidole flights last year and only got Colobopsis and Temnothorax

[DarkCerebral]

Are there any Pheidole flying this time of year already. I found one tonight during a light rain shower. Looks bicarinata but I thought they were later summer.

 

Also, I have  invested in some black lights. This information will be useful to stock up on more P opportunities.

Edited by DarkCerebral, May 26 2022 - 7:10 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Pheidole species are certainly flying down south where you are. Blacklights are great for finding them.

[DarkCerebral]

Pheidole species are certainly flying down south where you are. Blacklights are great for finding them.

 

what's the success rate you think of mated P. queens when blacklighting? I will likely give this a go tonight as well.

[ANTdrew]

In my experience, about 80% are able to successfully found.

[DarkCerebral]

Any luck yet Jonny8040? I tried black light setup in backyard for the first time and had no luck.  Her is my setup if anyone has advice.

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[FloridaAnts]

Are there any Pheidole flying this time of year already. I found one tonight during a light rain shower. Looks bicarinata but I thought they were later summer.

Also, I have invested in some black lights. This information will be useful to stock up on more P opportunities.

I have been coming across pheidole queens since early march. I haven’t really been looking recently, but I did see one by my door last night.

What state? People claim 6 AM is the best time for P. Floridana

Edited by FloridaAnts, May 29 2022 - 12:22 PM.

[Jonny8040]

Any luck yet Jonny8040? I tried black light setup in backyard for the first time and had no luck. Her is my setup if anyone has advice.

I haven’t yet. I have misplaced the black light I had so I have two more ordered and should be here tomorrow Lord willing. I’m gonna try some this week as it’s supposed to be really pretty where I live and we got lots of rain this past week. I’m looking forward to trying it. Y’all keep posting your progress on here!!


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[DarkCerebral]

This was maybe my best wekend of the entire year.  7 Pheidole sp. (I think Bicarinata), 7 Camponotus Castaneus, and 1 unknown. Also yesterday I stocked up on 12 Solenopsis Richteri for nest testing.

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[ANTdrew]

Are there any Pheidole flying this time of year already. I found one tonight during a light rain shower. Looks bicarinata but I thought they were later summer.

Also, I have invested in some black lights. This information will be useful to stock up on more P opportunities.

I told you! Seems to me the further south you are, the better blacklighting works.

[FloridaAnts]

Are there any Pheidole flying this time of year already. I found one tonight during a light rain shower. Looks bicarinata but I thought they were later summer.
Also, I have invested in some black lights. This information will be useful to stock up on more P opportunities.

I told you! Seems to me the further south you are, the better blacklighting works.

Well….

My areas time has not yet come

[Jonny8040]

This was maybe my best wekend of the entire year. 7 Pheidole sp. (I think Bicarinata), 7 Camponotus Castaneus, and 1 unknown. Also yesterday I stocked up on 12 Solenopsis Richteri for nest testing.

Where are you from?

[Jonny8040]

So tonight was my first night black lighting for queens. Literally within seconds. I mean seconds I had tons of males swarming the light. Then I found two queens! I know they are camponotus and I believe they are Castaneus. I’m excited to see what they do!