2124 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

Haha! Been there, done that. Good thing about Tetras is that they don’t pile crap/trash right next to their brood. Crematogaster never got that memo, I guess.

[ConcordAntman]

Gee, and I thought I had the only bad housekeepers!

[akaant]

I've noticed wood dwelling Camponotus species tend to trash any large open space, while soil dwelling species leave little to no trash in the nest that isn't too large and tend to clean members who enter more frequently. I think soil nesting species have to worry more about mold or unwanted guests, while drier wood nests have fewer issues with said problems.  In general most if not all the soil dwelling species I have keep the nest fairly clean. Now we just need a solution to the poop filled corners!

[noebl1]

Keep an eye out in MA tomorrow, especially Friday in the late afternoon/early evening for Camponotus flights.  It is a bit dry out, however temperatures will be pretty good, especially Friday.  If we don't see flights this week, I still think next week will be primed as will have 80Fs and some rain in the forecast

[SabbyMae]

Hello everyone!

I am new to the hobby and I believe I caught my first two queens yesterday in Massachusetts. I'm not 100% sure if they are queens but I am hopeful! I found them crossing the street when I was on a walk. They are about 6 or 7 mm long and dark brown with lighter brown legs. If you could help me identify them and determine if they are in fact queens, that would be great! Thank you!

(I have also posted in Ant ID Requests)

https://photos.app.g...wdBYcvX4DMMh4d7

Edited by SabbyMae, May 23 2020 - 11:41 AM.

[noebl1]

Welcome @SabbyMae!!!  I suspect they may be parasitic Lasius based on the pics, which are all over the place right now looking to found colonies.  Large heads and small gasters are often a give away.

[noebl1]

Keep an eye out for flights today, we've had a bunch of little ones so far.  However today will be hot and humid, so has decent odds.  I've been seeing some tiny flights over the last couple of days (one random Camponotus alate last night), so they are ready to go.  I was concerned as lack of rain may hinder things, but the 86 - 90F temps may be enough to convince them to go.   

[ConcordAntman]

I’ve got my test tubes ready, that’s just what I was thinking!

[noebl1]

Already found a handful of C. pennsylvanicus, and my local C. americanus has alates prepping

 

[noebl1]

Finding 2-3 C. pennsylvanicus every time I go out now, also a mix of delates on the ground, and clumsy alates flying.  Other's in MA are reporting Camponotus Myrmentome and other Camponotus flying today.

[SabbyMae]

Caught my first two Camponotus queens toady and others seem to think they are C. Herculeanus! Excited!

Attached Images

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Edited by SabbyMae, May 26 2020 - 3:50 PM.

[ConcordAntman]

Just missed a C. pennsylvanicus but I caught this. Not sure if she’s C. americanus, C. chromaiodes, or C. Herculanus.
 

 

[AnthonyP163]

Just missed a C. pennsylvanicus but I caught this. Not sure if she’s C. americanus, C. chromaiodes, or C. Herculanus.
 

Looks like C. novaeboracensis 

[ConcordAntman]

 

Just missed a C. pennsylvanicus but I caught this. Not sure if she’s C. americanus, C. chromaiodes, or C. Herculanus.
 

Looks like C. novaeboracensis 

 

Thanks AnthonyP163! Looking at it after a few hours sleep, I agree. It was late when I finally posted this. I’d only done a cursory ID search online and not with my field guide. The truth is though, my ID skill stinks!!  

[ANTdrew]

That’s a new species for you, congrats! I found zippo at three different locations.

[MinigunL5]

Wow this thread is huge! I was wondering if there was a thread for MA.

[MinigunL5]

Will there be flights today?

[noebl1]

Wow this thread is huge! I was wondering if there was a thread for MA.

There's quite a few MA people that keep ants   Both on here and the AAK Discord.  Strange cluster considering you'd think other more populated states would have more.

 

I do suspect there will be flights based on the high temps and humidity.

[MinigunL5]

 

Wow this thread is huge! I was wondering if there was a thread for MA.

There's quite a few MA people that keep ants   Both on here and the AAK Discord.  Strange cluster considering you'd think other more populated states would have more.

 

I do suspect there will be flights based on the high temps and humidity.

 

Thx! I'm glad there are so many ant-keepers here! Also, what's the AAK discord?

[noebl1]

Thx! I'm glad there are so many ant-keepers here! Also, what's the AAK discord?

 

 

https://discord.gg/qrAqPAQ  , you can DM me with the same username on Discord if you need help.