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Is this an ant hole?

Started By dean_k , Oct 13 2014 4:49 AM

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10 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dean_k - Posted October 13 2014 - 4:49 AM

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Heya, I think I may have found an ant hole that a new queen dug. It is from my front yard where there was a Lasius mating flight 3 weeks ago. So, I think it is possible that a queen chose to settle down on this spot.

Is it ?

If so, I may dig it up.

#2 Offline Crystals - Posted October 13 2014 - 6:21 AM

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How big is that hole?

Most queens will quickly block the hole up if they are fully claustral.

That particular one reminds me of the entrance to a bumble bee nest I once found, but I can't tell for sure if this is the same or not.

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#3 Offline dean_k - Posted October 13 2014 - 6:34 AM

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0.5 cm or so.

#4 Offline Alza - Posted October 13 2014 - 8:49 PM

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that's how the brachymyrmex near me dig their holes. except a lot smaller

#5 Offline dermy - Posted October 15 2014 - 6:34 AM

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Maybe it's a type of solitary bee, bumble bee holes would be guarded you'd think, unless there season is over [which I think around here it is.]

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#6 Offline dean_k - Posted October 15 2014 - 6:56 AM

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I am leaning toward to a bee nest. And yeah the season is over here.

#7 Offline dermy - Posted October 15 2014 - 7:41 AM

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I'd say dig it up and see but if it is an ant nest you might hurt them. But bee-nests look really cool.

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#8 Offline dean_k - Posted October 15 2014 - 7:44 AM

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I am inclined not to because there has been a warning that bee population has been on a rapid decline in the area.

#9 Offline dermy - Posted October 15 2014 - 7:46 AM

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If it was a bee hive it would have been bombus sp. which do not make perennial colonies, and restart every year.

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#10 Offline dean_k - Posted October 15 2014 - 8:37 AM

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I am fairly positive that it is a new hole because I tendered the garden some months ago and it wasn't there.

At first, I assumed it was an ant hole because there was a mating flight few weeks ago, but there are also a lot of bees around my house, so I guess it could also be a bee hole. The hole is too big for the Lasius sp, so I am fairly positive that it's a bee hole.