39 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

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.
 

 

[Tpro4]

you are so lucky

[Foogoo]

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

[dspdrew]

I just haven't been able to find them.

[camtheecologist]

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.

[dspdrew]

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.

[Foogoo]

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

[dspdrew]

Haha yeah I know.

[NightsWebs]

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

[nurbs]

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.

[dspdrew]

 

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.

[dspdrew]

Update 6-29-2016
 
This queen just got her first worker a couple days ago.
 

[Loops117]

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.

[Saftron]

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?

[Leo]

good luck man

[dspdrew]

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.

[AnthonyP163]

What happened?

[LC3]

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.

[dspdrew]

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

[Goldsystem]

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