4 replies to this topic

[MaydayVFR]

I lost my last edit so this will be brief. These behemoths keep wandering into my shop around midnight. Our area is heavily wooded with oak trees and vast dirt nothings. I’m still seeing drones about so this leads me to believe these are still actively flying. In October. Which I thought was a bit late for flights but I’m still a novice at this. Any help appreciated.

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Edited by MaydayVFR, October 10 2022 - 9:57 PM.

[MaydayVFR]

Forgot photos. Fixed 🤦🏼‍♂️

Edited by MaydayVFR, October 6 2022 - 6:53 PM.

[ReignofRage]

It should align with Camponotus semitestaceus, but it's a species complex. Nice find, it's a great complex.

[MaydayVFR]

Wow yep. That looks like her. It also adds up with our geographical range and features. What doesn’t add up is why these girls are stumbling into the shop late at night in October. The data I’ve just read on says they fly in March? But also data on another site leads to an August or September flight. Either way, Now we’re into the realm of ants I didn’t do research on nor have even read the tiniest bit of info about. I have some homework to do haha. Thanks for the ID!!

[MaydayVFR]

I’m finding more of these queens now that I’m looking lol. Even so it was still by accident. After the sun went down I returned to a marked nest site from earlier in the day. I started to peek around and spooked them all and retreated to grab my red lens light. As I was coming back about 20ft from the entrance there were two more dealates in overdrive making a break for it to who knows where. Such activity for so late in the year. I had given up for finding more queens this time last year.