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Dspdrew's Aphaenogaster occidentalis Journal [193] (Discontinued)

Started By dspdrew , Jun 19 2016 11:08 PM
aphaenogaster occidentalis dspdrew journal

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39 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 19 2016 - 11:08 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA
6-20-2016
 
1. Location of collection:  Crystal Lake, Azusa, California
2. Date of collection: 6-18-2016
3. Habitat of collection:  Pine/Oak Forest.
4. Length (from head to gaster):  7mm
 
I found this Aphaenogaster occidentalis queen in a founding chamber under a rock on 6-18-2016 near Crystal Lake in Azusa, California. She had a small amount of brood with her and was sharing the space with a colony of Tapinoma sessile. Since she has some young pupae, I would say she probably flew about a month ago.
 
I decided to put her in one of my new founding nests.
 
med_gallery_2_558_382854.jpg
 
med_gallery_2_558_361017.jpg
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#2 Offline Tpro4 - Posted June 20 2016 - 12:10 PM

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you are so lucky
Remember Dragon Warrior, anything is possible when you have inner peace. - Master Shifu

Current Queens:
1 Unknown Pogomyemex
1 Solenopsis Xyloni

#3 Offline Foogoo - Posted June 20 2016 - 8:13 PM

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Is there anything special about this species or just that it's uncommon?

Camponotus vicinus, Crematogaster 1, Crematogaster 2, Formica francoeuri, *, *, Myrmecocystus testaceus, Novomessor cockerelli, Pheidole hyatti, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Solenopsis invicta

#4 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 20 2016 - 8:30 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I just haven't been able to find them.


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#5 Offline camtheecologist - Posted June 20 2016 - 9:06 PM

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Aphaenogaster occidentalis is common in short grass prairies in Washington, Oregon, and I'm sure northern California. They're abundant in all my western Oregon field sites, as well as my backyard in Washington.


#6 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 20 2016 - 10:36 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I find them in the higher elevations pretty often, but I just hadn't ever found any queens, or had any idea when they flew around there.


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#7 Offline Foogoo - Posted June 21 2016 - 7:03 AM

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Lucky you went when you did. That area is probably a wall of flames by now  :(


Camponotus vicinus, Crematogaster 1, Crematogaster 2, Formica francoeuri, *, *, Myrmecocystus testaceus, Novomessor cockerelli, Pheidole hyatti, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Solenopsis invicta

#8 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 21 2016 - 2:07 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Haha yeah I know.


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#9 Offline NightsWebs - Posted June 21 2016 - 7:42 PM

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Ok Drew you better take good care of her!  I want to see this species in action!


Current Colonies;

Acromyrmex Versicolor

Dorymyrmex Bicolor

Pogonomyrmex Californicus
Pogonomyrmex Rugosus

Pogonomyrmex Tenuispinus
Novomessor Cockerelli
Myrmecocystus Mexicanus

 

Last Update: 08 Jul 2016

 

 

#10 Offline nurbs - Posted June 21 2016 - 11:19 PM

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Lucky you went when you did. That area is probably a wall of flames by now  :(

 

I was with Drew when he went. Showed him around the area. That place is my local stomping grounds for anting. 

 

I've been able to see the fire from my apartment and should be OK. It hit most of the mountains up Duarte but the road up to Crystal Lake should be OK.


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California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/

#11 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 21 2016 - 11:34 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

 

Lucky you went when you did. That area is probably a wall of flames by now  :(

 
I was with Drew when he went. Showed him around the area. That place is my local stomping grounds for anting. 
 
I've been able to see the fire from my apartment and should be OK. It hit most of the mountains up Duarte but the road up to Crystal Lake should be OK.

 

That's good.


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#12 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 28 2016 - 11:18 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA
Update 6-29-2016
 
This queen just got her first worker a couple days ago.
 
med_gallery_2_558_64102.jpg

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#13 Offline Loops117 - Posted June 29 2016 - 5:20 AM

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Congrats on the first worker! My Aphaens just had a huge hatching in the last couple of days. My worker count had triple when i checked them this morning.


Edited by Loops117, June 29 2016 - 5:21 AM.

#14 Offline Saftron - Posted November 18 2016 - 3:19 PM

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Hey Drew what would you say is a more interesting species. Aphaenogaster Occidentalis or Tetramorium Caespitum?

 

Another question: How big are the regular sized workers?


#15 Offline Leo - Posted November 18 2016 - 4:10 PM

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good luck man


#16 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 19 2016 - 10:21 AM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Hey Drew what would you say is a more interesting species. Aphaenogaster Occidentalis or Tetramorium Caespitum?
 
Another question: How big are the regular sized workers?

 
I've never even had a Tetramorium colony, let alone Tetramorium Caespitum. Based on everything I've seen online, Tetramorium Caespitum seem very boring to me.


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#17 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted November 19 2016 - 11:49 AM

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What happened?


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#18 Offline LC3 - Posted November 19 2016 - 12:12 PM

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Hey Drew what would you say is a more interesting species. Aphaenogaster Occidentalis or Tetramorium Caespitum?

 

Another question: How big are the regular sized workers?

Tetramorium are the epitome of stereotypical ants.

Full grown workers average 3mm to 3.5mm

A.occidentalis average around at 4mm I think.


#19 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 19 2016 - 2:18 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I think mature A. occidentalis are more like 4mm to 5mm.


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#20 Offline Goldsystem - Posted November 19 2016 - 7:26 PM

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I keep a very wide variety of ants (but not Aphaenogaster) and I really do like them. they are fast growing and fun to watch, even though they may be stereotypical
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