20 replies to this topic

[yen_saw]

Exactly the same day as last year, Atta texana flew yesterday in Spring, Texas (North of Houston) early morning. Leaf cutter ants clearing the nest a day before that given the sign that nuptial flight is taking place soon. Swarm was noted in the morning under the lamp post.

 

 

 

 

I will try to post a short clip of an Atta texana queen digging up founding chamber.

[dspdrew]

That's awesome. Amazing how big those queens are.

[Subverted]

that's so many queens

[Chromerust]

Do you have fungus? Can you hook me up with some? I'm in Pearland!

[LC3]

Good luck with all those queens

[yen_saw]

That's awesome. Amazing how big those queens are.

Yes It's probably one of the largest in Texas. Around 2 cm.

 

that's so many queens

Yea but usually very few make it to form colony.... :hmm: I saw many queen killed by fire ants. Birds also made a great meal out of it. Many were crushed under tire!

 

 

 

Do you have fungus? Can you hook me up with some? I'm in Pearland!

I am looking for fungus, but hoping the collected queens still haven't lost or dropped the fungus pellet in their pouch when i found them. I sent you a message.

 

Good luck with all those queens

I need all your luck!!

[AntsTexas]

wow! the last picture! all those queens....

[dspdrew]

 

That's awesome. Amazing how big those queens are.

Yes It's probably one of the largest in Texas. Around 2 cm.

 

 

Those are almost the largest queens of any ants in North America. I think Atta mexicana are the largest.

[LC3]

RIP Atta queens, Much valiant was your flight.

[dermy]

Man those are some huge queens, I imagine you don't miss the flight of something that large, assuming you leave your house often enough.

[antsinmypants]

One more reason to move to TX. But that aside, has anyone in this forum personally found leaf-cutting ants in Fresno or the San Jose area? I did a Google search and found out that they are in these areas though I don't know how accurate those reports are.

[dspdrew]

You sure it wasn't San Jose, Costa Rica? I've never heard of any in San Jose, CA.

[yen_saw]

You sure it wasn't San Jose, Costa Rica? I've never heard of any in San Jose, CA

 ...... maybe was refering to Acromyrmex?
 
Here is the short clip of Atta texana digging up founding chamber. Sorry it was a cell phone recording and i don't have the latest iphone. and i hope the link work.

 

http://vid884.photob...zps9rtnesoh.mp4

 

[yen_saw]

By the way, recent flood around Houston area apparently disrupted their subsequent flight. Usually, the next flight will take place after the next heavy rain, but the next one was a crazy 16-20" of rain dumped in a 12 hr span, which happened two week ago. Now i bet most of the nest been plugged and hunkered down indefinitely. WOn't be surprise if some of the nests were flooded and didn't survive. 

[LC3]

Awww.

[gcsnelling]

NO Atta Acromyrmex in those parts of Calif. There may be Cyphomyrmex there in the Fresno area though.

[antsinmypants]

Thanks. I'll be on the lookout for them.

[exs]

Atta! SO MORE

[NightsWebs]

pretty impressive, and I don't now how you would miss a flight like that in fact I think I would carry around a tennis racket or baseball bat! JK!

[yen_saw]

pretty impressive, and I don't now how you would miss a flight like that in fact I think I would carry around a tennis racket or baseball bat! JK!

Most people missed out the flight usually, which take place around wee hour of the night. It is the swarm afterwards that is difficult to miss. But still you need to be there at the right place and right time. The usually swarm disappear later on the same day.