2124 replies to this topic

[noebl1]

Went out for about 45 minutes, saw 12 C. pennsylvanicas queen dealates and caught one C. nearcticus. She was caught not far from where we have the foundation sprayed, so not sure if she was exposed.

[akaant]

Went out for about 45 minutes, saw 12 C. pennsylvanicas queen dealates and caught one C. nearcticus. She was caught not far from where we have the foundation sprayed, so not sure if she was exposed.

Nice! I hope she makes it. I had no such luck tonight other than a few males.

 

Edited by akaant, June 9 2018 - 6:13 PM.

[Connectimyrmex]

I found one C. pennsylvanicus, one C. nearcticus/caryae, three Nylanderia parvula, and one Myrmecina (?) queen yesterday!

[noebl1]

I found one C. pennsylvanicus, one C. nearcticus/caryae, three Nylanderia parvula, and one Myrmecina (?) queen yesterday!

 

That's a good point... Reminder keep an eye out for Myrmica queens too.  I found another one out foraging yesterday.  The first one I found a couple weeks ago has a huge pile of eggs too.  It's tough as the Myrmica workers have a large thorax, and they aren't the biggest of ants.  But the queens are a bit bigger and thorax is noticeably larger. Plus I find the foraging queens move a bit slower than most Myrmica workers.  They fly in the Fall the same time usually with Lasius, Ponera and other species, and over winter and forage in the Spring for their brood as not full claustral.

[Connectimyrmex]

I've noticed that foraging Myrmica queens tend to flee, while the workers tend to lash out. 

[mallonje]

Maybe it's too hot too dry?

Nothing all day, just went out (trash night - flashlight spotting) found 3 workers I didn't recognize. So I have them to ID.

But then on my way in, I found a 3rd Camponotus Pennsylvanicus queen, and saw 3 drones flying around the light.

[noebl1]

Maybe it's too hot too dry?

Nothing all day, just went out (trash night - flashlight spotting) found 3 workers I didn't recognize. So I have them to ID.

But then on my way in, I found a 3rd Camponotus Pennsylvanicus queen, and saw 3 drones flying around the light.

 

I observed something similar last night too as was dry earlier, but as front moved in, humidity rose but temperatures didn't fall much.  Initially went out and saw nothing, then around 9:30pm saw a lively drone, so guessing there was a late flight.

 

Today could be very interesting, there's a low pressure system of tropical air that's hot and humid over a good portion of the north east.  Depending on the timing of the thunderstorms, there's a potential for a large flight today.

[mallonje]

Caught a new queen last night and I'm having trouble IDing her. 

 

small, 5-6mm. Black with hints of gold/ yellow/ brown. 2 segment petiole 

 

https://www.dropbox....235100.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox....234339.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox....235004.png?dl=0

 

Now, I'm trying hard to fight my confirmation bias but... Tetramorium Caespitum/ Sp. E.?  but it could also be Aphaenogaster occidentalis ?

Edited by mallonje, June 2 2018 - 7:39 AM.

[Aquaexploder]

Caught a new queen last night and I'm having trouble IDing her.

small, 5-6mm. Black with hints of gold/ yellow/ brown. 2 segment petiole

https://www.dropbox....235100.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox....234339.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox....235004.png?dl=0

Now, I'm trying hard to fight my confirmation bias but... Tetramorium Caespitum/ Sp. E.? but it could also be Aphaenogaster occidentalis ?

Pretty sure this is some sort of Aphaenogaster, but it is a little weird that she flew at this time of year. My guess would be A. picea.

Edited by Aquaexploder, June 2 2018 - 12:21 PM.

[Nathant2131]

Just saw a Tetramorium dealate walking on the ground in Hudson’s NH!

[noebl1]

Other people in MA reporting Tetramorium today too on discord. Unfortunately with family so can't look yet.

[akaant]

That is so odd. The Tetramorium alates I seen so far are still in larva stages.

[noebl1]

That is so odd. The Tetramorium alates I seen so far are still in larva stages.

Ditto here too, there's a Tetranorium colony under a rock that's had alate larvae at the surface to keep warm. It's a really weird season for sure.

[fleetingyouth]

Hi all, 

 

New to the forum and anting in general. looking for some tips on finding queens in MA. I'm in Quincy near the water lots of trees and water. I tried to walk around this morning and look but no luck. 

 

Thanks for any tips.

[mallonje]

Welcome!

I'm newish too, so I'm right there with you.

Well you nailed the first tip, "don't be afraid to ask".

Let's see; a picnic table, 2 outdoor walls, 3 sidewalks, mulch under a tree in a parking lot, and under a yellow buzzing street light. These are where I've caught all my queens to date.

That's not to say I haven't spotted some under rocks, old logs, bricks, trash bags, and a trash can. I have, I just wasn't ready/ prepared.

Keep an eye on the weather. Warm humid, after a big rain seems to be the golden zone for triggering flights. And each species has their own requirements for a flight. And they're supposed to be synchronized, so if others report flights in your area it's best to take a look.

There's a ton more information I'd like to share, but I'm still a novice and learning at all too.
Welcome!

I'm newish too, so I'm right there with you.

Well you nailed the first tip, "don't be afraid to ask".

Let's see; a picnic table, 2 outdoor walls, 3 sidewalks, mulch under a tree in a parking lot, and under a yellow buzzing street light. These are where I've caught all my queens to date.

That's not to say I haven't spotted some under rocks, old logs, bricks, trash bags, and a trash can. I have, I just wasn't ready/ prepared.

Keep an eye on the weather. Warm humid, after a big rain seems to be the golden zone for triggering flights. And each species has their own requirements for a flight. And they're supposed to be synchronized, so if others report flights in your area it's best to take a look.

There's a ton more information I'd like to share, but I'm still a novice and learning at all too.

[ConcordAntman]

Of my 5 captured C pennsylvanicus queens, I’ve had two deaths. One from parasites (suspected phorid fly infestation) the other from stress (I found her in a ball on my living room floor but she became active when I picked her up). She survived 4 weeks without laying eggs. Two of the remaining 3 have a clutch of 5-6 eggs each with my most recent capture (5/26) egg-less. I may be premature in this but I’m thinking toward a formicarium. I'm looking at commercially available formicaria and wonder if any of you can advise? Thanks in advance!

[Myrmidon]

Of my 5 captured C pennsylvanicus queens, I’ve had two deaths. One from parasites (suspected phorid fly infestation) the other from stress (I found her in a ball on my living room floor but she became active when I picked her up). She survived 4 weeks without laying eggs. Two of the remaining 3 have a clutch of 5-6 eggs each with my most recent capture (5/26) egg-less. I may be premature in this but I’m thinking toward a formicarium. I'm looking at commercially available formicaria and wonder if any of you can advise? Thanks in advance!

 

Camponotus is one of the slower growing species and generally won't require all the space of a formicaria until their size reaches at least 20 or so workers. Some may even wait longer to even 30 - 50 workers. This can usually take a year if not longer. While this may be a bummer at first it's actually really convenient when it comes to hibernation time (a test tube is way easier to manage during this period). 

 

As for recommendations, I have had nothing but great things from TarHeel Ants. I purchased nearly all my stuff from him. There's also AntsCanada (but usually too pricey, to be honest). There's some vendors found at the MarketPlace area of the forums that may have other options. If all else fails, google is pretty helpful with ideas as there is a growing list of vendors these days.

[mallonje]

@myrmidon (Ant tooth?) Just to clarify though.

Once the first post-nanitic works show, it's best to put the test tube setup in a small outworld (like Tupperware) to allow the workers to forage and feed the queen. Correct?

[ConcordAntman]

I’m expecting a long haul for these queens (if they survive founding) taking 2 months from egg laying to eclosing nanitics. Thanks for the formicarium info! I have an AntsCanada starter set up of 5 test tubes and two feeding chambers. If these queens survive, I planned to use the feeding chambers and my two other test tubes for a mini-outworld/hydration setup.

I’ve been reading up on commercial formicaria and found that the AntsCanada formicaria are pricey with the potential for leaks and escapes but acrylic and relatively easy to clean and the Tar Heel Ants have a recent problem of unexplained colony die-offs. I have a few other irons in the fire and would like the ease of getting something “off the shelf” and have time for tending the nest. I realize I’ve got some time, just trying to do my due diligence.

[ConcordAntman]

@myrmidon (Ant tooth?) Just to clarify though.
Once the first post-nanitic works show, it's best to put the test tube setup in a small outworld (like Tupperware) to allow the workers to forage and feed the queen. Correct?

That’s what I’m getting from my reading so far. My concern is the size of C pennsylvanicus. A queen and 5 or 6 nanitics in a test tube? Literally living cheek to jowl!

Edited by ConcordAntman, June 3 2018 - 11:08 AM.