8 replies to this topic

[DinoH]

This is my first post and I wanted to show off my ant foraging gear:

What am I missing? How can I inprove my gear? What do you use for catching ants?

I'm looking for Strumigelys sp., Ponera pennsylvanica, and Stigmatomma pallies in Maryland.

[DinoH]

Oh...I put the Image twice.

[antsriondel]

Nice setup! I always bring test tubes to catch the Queens as they are light weight and easy to fit in my pocket. I see you have containers which is an alternative solution, but I would recommend test tubes as you can carry way more test tubes then containers.

[DinoH]

Nice setup! I always bring test tubes to catch the Queens as they are light weight and easy to fit in my pocket. I see you have containers which is an alternative solution, but I would recommend test tubes as you can carry way more test tubes then containers.

Well, I ran out of test tubes and the containers are 10 for $1.25USD at the dollar store so I'm using it for now.

[DinoH]

Today I found a Proceratium silaceum worker with this gear hopefully I might find a nest!

Proceratium silaceum

[Locness]

I use a foldable shovel: https://a.co/d/b1JRDVP

[DinoH]

I use a foldable shovel: https://a.co/d/b1JRDVP

That’s a great idea. I already got one I just need to find it.

[ANTdrew]

All you need are snap cap vials. I strongly encourage you not to dig up established colonies. It is harmful to the ecosystem and unnecessary.

[DinoH]

All you need are snap cap vials. I strongly encourage you not to dig up established colonies. It is harmful to the ecosystem and unnecessary.

I am not diging up colonies. I'm just collecting speciments of workers foraging beneath leaf litter. I got more than enougth colonies at home.

After collecting and observing the workers I let them go.