48 replies to this topic

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

We are lucky here in California!
We have so much diversity.

Edited by GOCAMPONOTUS, March 29 2024 - 12:01 PM.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

I would say Nevada has the most diversity in the states but Nevada also has some great high altitude ants.

[Artisan_Ants]

In Pennsylvania, finding new ant species is like looking for a needle in a haystack… Camponotus, Formica, Teramorium and Lasius are the only common species around here. You guys should be lucky you even see pheidole. The first pheidole major (assuming it is P. pillifera) that I have ever seen was a year ago. Hoping I can catch some this year to really see what species they are cause it seems that we also have P. bicarnata (doesn’t say it on Antweb but includes PA in the native range).

[Flu1d]

I would say Nevada has the most diversity in the states but Nevada also has some great high altitude ants.

Nevada has AMAZING ants! I'm not sure if it's more diverse than Florida, however. Correct me if I'm wrong. Florida is, from what I have personally seen (and I'm not as experienced as the vast majority of you, so that's why I say personally seen, not what I know for sure) the most diverse state for ants.

Again, please let me know what state really actually is! It will give me a place to visit just to walk around and observe one day!

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Florida is top 3 

1. Southeastern Arizona

2. Southern California

3. Florida.

 

(not in order)

Edited by GOCAMPONOTUS, March 29 2024 - 4:09 PM.

[Flu1d]

Florida is top 3
1. Southeastern Arizona
2. Southern California
3. Florida.

Where do these stats come from?

I'm 100% not questioning your answer whatsoever, I'm just curious!

The only reason I am curious is because I seek as much knowledge as possible. Also, it gives me an excuse to travel to go explore and see cool new ants! (It puts certain places at the top of the list for priority)

Also, by diverse do you mean the sheer number of ant species they have, or do you mean the variety of ant genera that exist there? Because that's a major player, as well!

I don't wanna travel to go look at 35 different species of Pheidole, whereas I can travel and find less Pheidole but see a wider range of genera!

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

By diverse I mean number of different ant species. Found at University of Michigan News website.

[Flu1d]

By diverse I mean number of different ant species. Found at University of Michigan News website.

Gotcha, yeah species number is one thing, I'm really looking to find a bigger variety in genus! I wonder who has those stats, which state has the biggest variety in TYPES of ants, not just species 🤔

That's what I was referring to when I said Florida is more diverse. I feel like diversity in ants is more of a genus thing, not so much as a species thing. Number of species is still important, however! It's nice to see different species of the same genus, as well.. but it's neat walking around and seeing many different genus like Pheidole, Solenopsis, Pseudomyrmex, Pogonomyrmex, Crematogaster etc!

In my yard alone (half acre plot) I have found at least 13 different species, and quite a bit of that come from a different genus, which I love!

[The_Gaming-gate]

You sure? Because P. rugosus really looks like they have majors.

NA Pogonomyrmex aren't polymorphic in the sense of having a major caste. They have worker size variaition of a singular worker caste.

Additionally, Pogonomyrmex is fast growing and not polymorphic, Formica isn't polymorphic, Pheidole is small, Iridomyrmex is non-existent in all of the United States, and Polyergus is not polymorphic - Myrmecocystus is a decent choice, but their majors aren't too distinct, though they do have repletes.

i think i want a medium sized ant that grows medium speed

that is also polymorphis

For Nevada, a better suggestion for medium size, medium growth rate, and polymorphism (i.e. majors) would be Camponotus.

I am aware that Formica and some other genera were not polymorphic, and that is why I specified other reasons that the original person would like them. Obviously, Polyergus is not polymorphic, but they are much more interesting in their parasitic habits then an ant which main selling point is majors. If the original person only looks for ants with those specific characteristics, they may miss out on other equally interesting genera, such as Polyergus.

Edited by The_Gaming-gate, March 30 2024 - 1:03 PM.