4 replies to this topic

[Lordpatek]

Just curious. Been around in the meadows catching some Lasius Flavus queens who often end up mysteriously passing away between my weekly check-ups on them. Starting to think time is running out, as I haven't caught wind of any Lasius Flavus or Niger in the spots I normally peruse. I'm in the Swindon area of the UK, so maybe elsewhere they're still happening? I wouldn't say the weather's been particularly bad, either.

[cooIboyJ]

I’m pretty sure the nuptial flights are still going on but some species have stopped flying. What will happen is a species of ant will send out their male and queen alates for about one to three weeks and then stop flying because they have no more alates to send out. Though don’t take my word for it because I may be wrong.

[Lordpatek]

Yeah I've figured the nests in my area have all been "depleted" so to speak. I've found an ant queen that may be semi-claustral, species unknown, that I may post here in hopes that she can get ID'ed. According to some research they may be manica rubida or myrmica rubra, one of the two have their nuptial flights typically beginning in August which would co-incide with when I caught her roughly 2 days ago.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

some other species may send their alates that will overwinter until spring and only found their colony later, most of them will  be semi claustral because oof how they can hunt

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Just curious. Been around in the meadows catching some Lasius Flavus queens who often end up mysteriously passing away between my weekly check-ups on them. Starting to think time is running out, as I haven't caught wind of any Lasius Flavus or Niger in the spots I normally peruse. I'm in the Swindon area of the UK, so maybe elsewhere they're still happening? I wouldn't say the weather's been particularly bad, either.

Lasius Niger has been done. Not in the UK but they fly June-July. Your best bet is something like Myrmica or Crematogaster, but again, i'm not in the UK so I can't give sound advice on that. Overall though, most species have already flown, so you'll have to wait for next year for the bulk of queens.