5 replies to this topic

[CamponotusLover]

Hello, some of you may have met my younger brother whom' joined this forum today, Ant America.

 

Anyhow, I identified his ant as a Social Parasite, meeting all its similaraties.

 

I would like to know, when and where do I release a Social Parasite Ant Queen?

 

Right now its 1-2 days of cold coming up, but I feel as though a smart time to release the queen into the wild is perhaps during nuptial flight? If that is a good time, then please also tell me WHERE I should release it..

 

We actually found it and saved it right before it walked into an antlion pit that was near a Citronella nest during a nuptial flight.

 

But again, its socially parasitic so we can't take care of it.

 

When and where to release?

[Batspiderfish]

Fall-flying social parasites often overwinter before looking for a colony. You could let it go in the spring.

[CamponotusLover]

Fall-flying social parasites often overwinter before looking for a colony. You could let it go in the spring.

Okay! Thanks for the info! I presume a warm day in the spring? Or perhaps a nuptial flight day in spring?

[Batspiderfish]

 

Fall-flying social parasites often overwinter before looking for a colony. You could let it go in the spring.

Okay! Thanks for the info! I presume a warm day in the spring? Or perhaps a nuptial flight day in spring?

 

They won't be having nuptial flights until the end of the summer. It is not necessary to release her during a flight. Releasing ants is normally frowned upon, but I can't imagine there is much risk in a single queen who has been isolated in a claustral chamber.

The other part is that since she is an overwintered social parasite, she can just pick up where she left off and start hunting for a host colony. A claustral species would be severely disadvantaged and would probably die.

Edited by Batspiderfish, March 5 2017 - 8:15 AM.

[CamponotusLover]

 

 

Fall-flying social parasites often overwinter before looking for a colony. You could let it go in the spring.

Okay! Thanks for the info! I presume a warm day in the spring? Or perhaps a nuptial flight day in spring?

 

They won't be having nuptial flights until the end of the summer. It is not necessary to release her during a flight. Releasing ants is normally frowned upon, but I can't imagine there is much risk in a single queen who has been isolated in a claustral chamber.

The other part is that since she is an overwintered social parasite, she can just pick up where she left off and start hunting for a host colony. A claustral species would be severely disadvantaged and would probably die.

 

Okay so I will let her go where I found her or atleast NEAR where I found her, on a nice day. Thanks!

[Alabama Anter]

why not try keeping it??