7 replies to this topic

[Agonzalez4771]

Hey guys,

 

About 20 years ago, I remember having honey ants around my house. I live in south texas. I am looking for a Queen Honey Pot ant. Anyone in texas have a colony? queen? Has anyone seen them lately, I am no longer able to find them in my area... I'm sure the world has changed but I still can't find them. I get little black ants... but not the Myrmecocystus.  I'm looking to start a colony of sugar ants as we call them here, the ones whos abdomen swell up with food.

 

For my area, does anyone know when the queens start to fly, around what month and when I can increase my chances of catching one. 

 

Thanks

 

Edited by Agonzalez4771, January 25 2017 - 6:06 PM.

[SamKeepsAnts]

they are common in more deserty areas

[Mdrogun]

Hey guys,

 

About 20 years ago, I remember having honey ants around my house. I live in south texas. I am looking for a Queen Honey Pot ant. Anyone in texas have a colony? queen? Has anyone seen them lately, I am no longer able to find them in my area... I'm sure the world has changed but I still can't find them. I get little black ants... but not the Myrmecocystus.  I'm looking to start a colony of sugar ants as we call them here, the ones whos abdomen swell up with food.

 

Thanks

 

http://articleimage....91398691832.jpg

Just an FYI, the top ant in that picture is not Myrmecocystus. It's a species of Camponotus known as Camponotus inflatus. Also, I know Myrmecocystus is quite cool but I don't think they're the ants you're imagining. I've heard they have a lot of issues even getting started and keeping the colony steadily growing/alive can be difficult. For a beginner, I wouldn't recommend them. Maybe you should try keeping something easier like Solenopsis invicta or some other species before you attempt to keep Honey pot ants. It's really discouraging to have a colony die ,let alone your first colony, when you're doing everything you can to keep them alive.

Edited by Mdrogun, January 24 2017 - 1:32 PM.

[Superant33]

They have largely disappeared from urban or near urban areas. I believe that they are easy prey for S. invicta. To increase your chances, start your search as far from urban areas as possible. Watch the weather. After a summer rain, go anting. I have four colonies of M. mimicus. Three colonies are thriving and one is holding on. They are not that hard to raise (although some of the other species might be). Good luck.

[Agonzalez4771]

They have largely disappeared from urban or near urban areas. I believe that they are easy prey for S. invicta. To increase your chances, start your search as far from urban areas as possible. Watch the weather. After a summer rain, go anting. I have four colonies of M. mimicus. Three colonies are thriving and one is holding on. They are not that hard to raise (although some of the other species might be). Good luck.

 

Where are you located Superant33? I am in South Texas. Harlingen to be exact. Do you happen to know for this geographic region when the queens fly and I have a chance to catch one? Do you have pictures of your colonies, Id love to see them.

Edited by Agonzalez4771, January 25 2017 - 6:05 PM.

[Superant33]

I live in San Antonio. Just like harvester ants, they are no longer common in metro areas of south central Texas. I am assuming that they can be found around your area. I have sent pics in the past to THA, but they are not featured on his website. I guess my pics aren't that good. I just briefly tried to copy and paste a pic here. Not successful.

[Agonzalez4771]

If you ever need to rehome one of the colonies... let me know. I have a brother in San Antonio. https://m.facebook.com/blueraptor1802

[Superant33]

😂😂. I will keep that in mind. However, I have had 2 C. sayi colonies for about 13 years. The honey pots range from 2-5 years old. I keep them for the long haul. But if I get lucky and catch several odontomachus queens, I will need to lighten my load. In that case, I may look you up. Don't give up hope though. It's very rare for me to find queens other than S. invicta, but I do find them.