4 replies to this topic

[raerean]

So hi

 

I've been looking into ant keeping for most of the winter, and now that spring is finally on it's way I thought I better get a bit more involved and get myself sorted out.

There doesn't seem to be much online about NZ ants and nuptial flight months, so I'm just watching the weather and I've just started monitoring a nest in my garden. While I was watching them yesterday (the first nice warmish day we've had a while), I had an alate land on me. I left her to go though because I wasn't ready and I'm sure she hadn't mated. She's the first I've ever seen though so I'm buzzing about it slightly.

I did catch some workers yesterday to identify them and from what I can tell, I've got technomyrmex jocosus in my garden. I put the workers back where I found them afterwards and gave them some cotton balls filled up with honey/water to make up for it.

However, my husband and I are planning on going to the botanical gardens one day so I'm hoping to see if I can find ants that are endemic to NZ.

 

I can't wait to catch my first queen

[Miles]

Here's a great website with data for the ants of New Zealand: http://www.landcarer...stribution-data

[dspdrew]

Welcome.

[Kingjay]

Welcome hope that you have a great time.

[raerean]

Here's a great website with data for the ants of New Zealand: http://www.landcarer...stribution-data

Thanks, that's where I went to ID my workers.

I just can't seem to find anything on nuptial flight months etc. I'll just have to figure it out for myself

Also I'm currently shopping around online trying to find a good source of test tubes. Right now I just have some small plastic tubing and corks, which was fine for the workers, but don't think it'll be big enough for the queens.