7 replies to this topic

[Enderz]

I was  hoping to get into ant keeping and thought i should start with these ants, but there's one problem. I don't know if they fly/live near me and don't know their flight schedule. The ant in mind is the Tetramorium species of ant. I live in Southern California and was hoping to go hunting for their queens. My questions are: Do these ants live in my area (Southern California)?; When are their nuptial flights in my area?; What would be some good/recommended cages for these ants?; Do they need a lot of space?; Are they hard to find? These were some questions I've been wanted to have answered and i thought this would be the right place! Sorry for the long question but any answers would be appreciated as i am a newbie and would like to become more experienced!

 

Thanks!

[LC3]

Tetramorium sp.e are spread across North America and are found in California, they prefer urban dry areas and usually nest under pavement (hence their common name, the pavement ant). They have a reputation of being very hardy ants and do pretty well in captivity. Tetramorium don't exhibit specific foraging behaviours you must accommodate to, but they grow very fast (if kept well) so until the colony gets larger foraging space is not much of a problem. As for the flights you might be a bit late, as they fly during early June to around mid July early in the morning (anywhere from 6 - 9 am).

[Batspiderfish]

I don't think Tetramorium sp.E is present, but you might find one of our only native Tetramorium species, T. spinosus.

Edited by Batspiderfish, September 17 2016 - 2:44 AM.

[Enderz]

Tetramorium sp.e are spread across North America and are found in California, they prefer urban dry areas and usually nest under pavement (hence their common name, the pavement ant). They have a reputation of being very hardy ants and do pretty well in captivity. Tetramorium don't exhibit specific foraging behaviours you must accommodate to, but they grow very fast (if kept well) so until the colony gets larger foraging space is not much of a problem. As for the flights you might be a bit late, as they fly during early June to around mid July early in the morning (anywhere from 6 - 9 am).

Thanks for the answer!  I'll just have to wait till next year! xD I'll probably do some more research until then.

[LC3]

I don't think Tetramorium sp.E is present, but you might find one of our only native Tetramorium species, T. spinosus.

http://www.formicult...55 +tetramorium

The range of Tetramorium sp.e seems rather inconsistent with online sources. However both Antwiki and Antmaps both list them in California.

[Canadian anter]

They exist in northern California but I'm not sure abouto southern California

[kellakk]

Tetramorium sp.E isn't a common urban ant in most of socal. You're more likely to find Argentine ants (Linepithema humile). There should be some other ants around, though, including Pogonomyrmex californicus and Dorymyrmex insanus.

[Enderz]

Tetramorium sp.E isn't a common urban ant in most of socal. You're more likely to find Argentine ants (Linepithema humile). There should be some other ants around, though, including Pogonomyrmex californicus and Dorymyrmex insanus.

Thanks for that!