16 replies to this topic

[AntsTopia]

Ok, my cousin texted me again about leaf cutter ants, and he said his mom said yes, he could have leaf cutter ants. He told me he searched all day outside his house for queen leaf cutter ants and could not find any. I told him to look for a colony and then take its fungus ball or something like that with the queen. Anyway, I'll continue to see if he finds a queen/colony, but I was thinking, how can this kid start a leaf-cutter ant colony who has never had any other ants before, and I have never had leaf-cutters? Nope. If he does end up finding a queen, I do want to guide him. So I want to get a leaf cutter Queen legally. I want to get a PPQ 526 permit. However, I know no old hobo can get a permit, so what are the requirements? Also, if I get the permit, could I get a leaf cutter queen from formiculture? Thanks! I also thought this was working out nicely because now that I'm in NY, it will be easier to get a permit. Idk why the letters are so big. 

[FinWins]

Well, I know it could take a few months at least, so you should apply soon. That way you can be ready for queen leaf cutter season.

[AntsTopia]

When is that?

[AntsTopia]

Ok so in this instance I want to buy acromyrmex/atta and they are not native to New York. If I apply for a permit for one or both of these what are the chances of me getting approved?

[aznphenom]

Late April is atta season in texas. 

All states have different standards for permits and for different species.

Permits for non native can take many months. 3-9months.

[FinWins]

Ok I thought you were only talking about Acromyrmex not Atta. Also because leaf cutters can harm crops I would assume that they would be classified as a higher risk plant pest, meaning that it may be harder to get permits for them.

[ANTdrew]

Slow down a bit. Do a successful move, get settled in, learn about and enjoy your New York ants.

[AntsTopia]

What is in New York anyway?

[Virginian_ants]

New York does have trachymyrmex septentrionalis.

[Jonathan5608]

New York does have trachymyrmex septentrionalis.

living on Long Island I can confirm

Edited by Jonathan5608, July 3 2023 - 12:48 PM.

[ANTdrew]

What is in New York anyway?

Scores of amazing species.

[rptraut]

Is Dr. Eleanor’s “Ants of New York City” a useful reference?

[Jonathan5608]

What is in New York anyway?

Scores of amazing species.

Well, I’ll say not a barren waste land of lasius and invasives

Edited by Jonathan5608, July 4 2023 - 1:24 PM.

[Jonathan5608]

Is Dr. Eleanor’s “Ants of New York City” a useful reference?

just use this * Aphaenogaster carolinensis
* Aphaenogaster fulva LI
* Aphaenogaster lamellidens
* Aphaenogaster mariae
* Aphaenogaster picea LI
* Aphaenogaster rudis LI
* Aphaenogaster tennesseensis
* Aphaenogaster treatae LI
* Brachymyrmex depilis
* Camponotus americanus
* Camponotus caryae
* Camponotus castaneus
* Camponotus chromaiodes
* Camponotus herculeanus
* Camponotus nearcticus
* Camponotus novaeboracensis
* Camponotus pennsylvanicus
* Camponotus subbarbatus
* Crematogaster cerasi
* Crematogaster lineolata
* Dolichoderus mariae
* Dolichoderus plagiatus
* Dolichoderus pustulatus
* Dolichoderus taschenbergi
* Dorymyrmex grandulus
* Forelius pruinosus
* Formica argentea
* Formica aserva
* Formica biophilica
* Formica creightoni
* Formica difficilis
* Formica dolosa
* Formica exsectoides LI
* Formica fossaceps
* Formica glacialis
* Formica impexa
* Formica incerta
* Formica integra
* Formica knighti
* Formica lasioides
* Formica neogagates LI
* Formica neorufibarbis
* Formica nepticula
* Formica obscuripes
* Formica obscuriventris
* Formica pallidefulva LI
* Formica pergandei LI
* Formica podzolica
* Formica querquetulana
* Formica rubicunda
* Formica subaenescens
* Formica subintegra
* Formica subsericea LI
* Formicoxenus provancheri
* Hypoponera opacior
* Lasius americanus
* Lasius aphidicola
* Lasius brevicornis
* Lasius claviger
* Lasius interjectus
* Lasius latipes
* Lasius minutus
* Lasius murphyi
* Lasius nearcticus
* Lasius neoniger
* Lasius pallitarsis
* Lasius plumopilosus
* Lasius pubescens
* Lasius speculiventris
* Lasius subglaber
* Leptothorax canadensis
* Monomorium emarginatum LI
* Monomorium minimum
* Monomorium viridum
* Myrmecina americana
* Myrmica americana
* Myrmica brevispinosa
* Myrmica detritinodis
* Myrmica fracticornis
* Myrmica incompleta
* Myrmica latifrons
* Myrmica lobifrons
* Myrmica pinetorum
* Myrmica punctiventris
* Myrmica sculptilis
* Myrmica semiparasitica
* Myrmica smithana
* Myrmica spatulata
* Nylanderia arenivaga
* Nylanderia concinna
* Nylanderia parvula
* Pheidole bicarinata
* Pheidole davisi
* Pheidole morrisii
* Pheidole pilifera
* Pheidole tysoni
* Polyergus lucidus
* Polyergus montivagus
* Polyergus sanwaldi
* Ponera pennsylvanica
* Prenolepis imparis
* Proceratium crassicorne
* Proceratium pergandei
* Proceratium silaceum
* Solenopsis molesta
* Solenopsis texana
* Stenamma brevicorne
* Stenamma diecki
* Stenamma impar
* Stenamma schmittii
* Stigmatomma pallipes
* Strumigenys clypeata
* Strumigenys missouriensis
* Strumigenys pergandei
* Strumigenys pilinasis
* Strumigenys pulchella
* Strumigenys rostrata
* Tapinoma sessile
* Temnothorax ambiguus
* Temnothorax americanus
* Temnothorax curvispinosus
* Temnothorax duloticus
* Temnothorax longispinosus
* Temnothorax minutissimus
* Temnothorax schaumii
* Temnothorax texanus
* Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Or check out INaturalist for sightings

[AntaholicAnonymous]

I did the same thing as a beginner.
I bought a fancy species I wasn't able to take care of and watched them die.
A kid that never kept any ants before shouldn't aim for leaf cutters that aren't even native.
I made a similar mistake and he will be disappointed. It's like buying some running shoes and go for a marathon right away.
Sounds exciting but won't go as you would imagine.

[AntsTopia]

I am not a beginner, bro. I have been keeping ants for 5-6 years. I have done research on Leaf cutters for 2-3 weeks straight. How would you see me as a starter? Also I am not a kid I am in my 20s like you. 

Edited by AntsTopia, July 5 2023 - 6:50 AM.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

how can this kid start a leaf-cutter ant colony who has never had any other ants before, and I have never had leaf-cutters?

That's a quote from your post that's what I'm talking about. You said that.
Read your first comment again and then mine. Obviously I'm talking about your cousin if I refer to the kid.