19 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

What kind of ant queens might I be able to find around central Virginia right now? Thanks for any info.

[ANTdrew]

It’s been cooler than average, so nothing really has been flying. Parasitic Lasius is about all you can hope for at this point.

[OiledOlives]

Adding on to what Antdrew said, Lasius aphidicola will be flying within a week or two (if they haven't already) and Lasius claviger will be flying in approximately 3-4 weeks.

For general collection, colonies are still very prevalent under rocks and in wood. 

[1tsm3jack]

Adding on to what Antdrew said, Lasius aphidicola will be flying within a week or two (if they haven't already) and Lasius claviger will be flying in approximately 3-4 weeks.

For general collection, colonies are still very prevalent under rocks and in wood. 

How would I go about safely collecting a small colony without missing too many members or harming any of them? Also what colonies could I probably be able to find? Thanks for any info.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Also many cryptic species are flying right now for me

[1tsm3jack]

Also many cryptic species are flying right now for me

What exactly are cryptic species? 

[OiledOlives]

 

Adding on to what Antdrew said, Lasius aphidicola will be flying within a week or two (if they haven't already) and Lasius claviger will be flying in approximately 3-4 weeks.

For general collection, colonies are still very prevalent under rocks and in wood. 

How would I go about safely collecting a small colony without missing too many members or harming any of them? Also what colonies could I probably be able to find? Thanks for any info.

 

You need an insect aspirator or a vacuum to quickly collect ants. What species you find depends on how you collect, the habitat in which you collect, temperature, etc. I have a very short list here - https://atlanticants...s-of-n-piedmont

You may also still be able to find Brachymyrmex depilis flying. I had several queens and males fly each time I blacklighted in the last month (My last collection - 11 September 2024)

 

Edited by OiledOlives, September 24 2024 - 12:55 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I was going to mention Brachymyrmex depilis, but I was doubtful they’d fly in these cool temperatures. Below average highs are predicted the rest of the month. None of the species mentioned are great for beginners, unfortunately.

[1tsm3jack]

I was going to mention Brachymyrmex depilis, but I was doubtful they’d fly in these cool temperatures. Below average highs are predicted the rest of the month. None of the species mentioned are great for beginners, unfortunately.

Yeah I am not really a beginner though I have been keeping ants for about 8 months now, I guess compared to some people that's not a long time, but I do have a good amount of experience. It is pouring for the next week or so straight though because of that hurricane but I will probably start looking afterwards.

[rptraut]

Hello 1tsm3jack;

 

At this time of year, I've found it productive to take a walk in an old growth woodlot near me where I have permission to collect responsibly.   I've found queens and small colonies of Temnothorax, Lasius, and Myrmica ants in hollow acorns and hollow walnuts.   I go early in the morning before any ants go foraging and early enough in the fall that the leaves haven't fallen off the trees, covering everything up and making the search more difficult.   

RPT

[Yusteponant]

 

Also many cryptic species are flying right now for me

What exactly are cryptic species? 

 

Cryptic species are ants that live underground the only time they come out is during nuptial flights 

[1tsm3jack]

 

 

Also many cryptic species are flying right now for me

What exactly are cryptic species? 

 

Cryptic species are ants that live underground the only time they come out is during nuptial flights 

 

What so they don't forage or anything?

[AntsGodzilla]

 

 

 

Also many cryptic species are flying right now for me

What exactly are cryptic species? 

 

Cryptic species are ants that live underground the only time they come out is during nuptial flights 

 

What so they don't forage or anything?

 

Most cryptic ants are blind, and some of them will farm root insects.

[RushmoreAnts]

 

What so they don't forage or anything?

 

 

Most cryptic ants are blind, and some of them will farm root insects.

 

Most ant species, cryptic or not, have poor vision, and their eyes only serve to distinguish between light and dark (hence why they get so disturbed when checked on). Many Camponotus and Formica species have better eyesight, being able to make out shapes to help navigate. Yeah, that's good eyesight for an ant. Most ants rely on smell and touch as primary sense, however, through their antennae. 

 

Cryptic species usually hunt springtails and other small invertebrates which live underground and in leaflitter where they live. They do forage, just not in the open or above ground. Their colonies usually don't get larger than 200 workers, and their individual workers are generally independent compared to ants with larger colonies, preferring to hunt alone as opposed to going back to the colony for reinforcements. In most of the temperate U.S., the most successful cryptic species is Ponera pennsylvanica, which is a perfect example of the traits of cryptic species listed above.

 

[AntsGodzilla]

Bulldog ants also have great eyesight.

I'm pretty sure this is true, so feel free to correct me, but I heard that they could follow your finger from five feet away.

Edited by AntsGodzilla, September 26 2024 - 10:36 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

I believe I also heard that on AusAnts.

[AntsGodzilla]

 

 

What so they don't forage or anything?

 

 

Most cryptic ants are blind, and some of them will farm root insects.

 

Most ant species, cryptic or not, have poor vision, and their eyes only serve to distinguish between light and dark (hence why they get so disturbed when checked on). Many Camponotus and Formica species have better eyesight, being able to make out shapes to help navigate. Yeah, that's good eyesight for an ant. Most ants rely on smell and touch as primary sense, however, through their antennae. 

 

Cryptic species usually hunt springtails and other small invertebrates which live underground and in leaflitter where they live. They do forage, just not in the open or above ground. Their colonies usually don't get larger than 200 workers, and their individual workers are generally independent compared to ants with larger colonies, preferring to hunt alone as opposed to going back to the colony for reinforcements. In most of the temperate U.S., the most successful cryptic species is Ponera pennsylvanica, which is a perfect example of the traits of cryptic species listed above.

 

 

I wish that I could get ponera pennsylvanica, but I heard that they only live on the East coast.

[RushmoreAnts]

I wish that I could get ponera pennsylvanica, but I heard that they only live on the East coast.

California has Hypoponera opacior, they're a very similar cryptic species. Both are quite challenging to keep in captivity, however.

[mbullock42086]

 

I wish that I could get ponera pennsylvanica, but I heard that they only live on the East coast.

California has Hypoponera opacior, they're a very similar cryptic species. Both are quite challenging to keep in captivity, however.

 

they love springtails that's what most of them eat as a staple diet, they probably also eat mites

[bmb1bee]

I wish that I could get ponera pennsylvanica, but I heard that they only live on the East coast.

We have several species of Hypoponera here in California. They fly from May through October in my experience, both during the day (usually around noon) and also at night (which you can obtain via black light). Triggers for them are high heat in summer and rain in fall. If you're interested in small ants with interesting hunting habits and would like to take the challenge in keeping them, I'd highly recommend these. I have two queens that I caught last week during the crazy heat wave; they are probably some of my favorite ants I currently keep.