7 replies to this topic

[Mdrogun]

I just tried to use the blacklighting method to catch queen ants. I was doing this on my deck which is about 15 feet off the ground. I managed to get a whole lot of little flying insects and moths but no queens. My friend sent me a video of a massive Lasius claviger flight and I've been seeing Tapinoma sessile males all day so I know that queens are flying but my blacklight does not seem to be attracting them. I was wondering if I am too high off the ground to catch queens?

Edited by Mdrogun, June 17 2016 - 7:16 PM.

[gcsnelling]

15 feet should not be too far.

[aqandres4]

I usually see alates flying up to about 5-6 feet when at where I live when there are nuptial flights.. I'm not sure if that's the way it works with alates of other species but that's how I've seen it work with Solenopsis invicta here. I can tell that they're alates because I don't see tiny flying things everyday when there aren't nuptial flights and because there were male ants on my shirt (and maybe even a queen) when I was taking a walk outside.

 

I don't know too much about ants, right now, but that's how I've observed it here.

 

I hope this helps.

Edited by aqandres4, June 18 2016 - 8:44 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

While I don't have a lot of experience attracting ants at night (I am trying it this year for sure), I'm guessing that, in northern climates, the night temperatures need to be high enough to give ants the metabolic rates necessary for flight. In Maine right now, night temperatures seem to stick around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which I don't think is enough. I only get flies, moths, and beetles.

It seems a little earlier for Lasius claviger to be flying, so I'll bet it is their close relative Lasius interjectus. If you want to find this social parasite, keep an eye on other Lasius nests in the late afternoon and morning, which they will actively try to invade.

[Batspiderfish]

Also, it seems the survival rate for Acanthomyops goes way up if you capture and keep queens in groups of at least three.

[123LordOfAnts123]

How far nuptials take place off the ground or whether they take place in the air is probably highly dependent on species. Solenopsis invicta is known for flying quite high while many others in the genus form mating balls just feet from the ground. Other species form mating leks in random spots. With a blacklight the goal is to attract already mated queens in their search for a place to land. Note that queens of some species aren't attracted to lights at all while their males may be. AFAIK Lasius, particularly in the parasitic group, are well affected by lights when flights do take place.

[dspdrew]

Yeah, it depends on the species.

[Mdrogun]

I think I need to have the blacklight lower. I brought it down from my deck tonight and I caught 2 Tetramorium queens.

While I don't have a lot of experience attracting ants at night (I am trying it this year for sure), I'm guessing that, in northern climates, the night temperatures need to be high enough to give ants the metabolic rates necessary for flight. In Maine right now, night temperatures seem to stick around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which I don't think is enough. I only get flies, moths, and beetles.

It seems a little earlier for Lasius claviger to be flying, so I'll bet it is their close relative Lasius interjectus. If you want to find this social parasite, keep an eye on other Lasius nests in the late afternoon and morning, which they will actively try to invade.

It is 72 degrees here in Illinois and I caught 2 Tetramorium queens. I think Camponotus might be able to handle 60, they fly so early on in the year they are probably used to colder temperatures.