13 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

So next month is the beginning of Crematogaster season and I really want a colony of these ants. I live in Chicago, Illinois, and I was wondering where and what time of day to search for dealates of this species. Also, if anyone has any experience or tips on keeping this species, please let me know.

[Loops117]

Next month is? Are you sure? Last year i remember these queens flying early august. I could be completely wrong, but i feel like it's still a little early.

 

As for searching, i would highly recommend searching during the day/night of the flight. These queens are usually quick at digging their founding chambers, so finding them as soon as you can is the key. Last year, flights took place starting around 7PM after a good storm. The flights were so intense, a local news company wrote about them as they were flying throughout Grand Rapids. I myself have rarely found queens during founding stage, and have had best of luck paying attention to flights.

 

Good way is to find a mother colony and watch for their alates. You can prepare if you have the space, set up some bricks and stones over dirt so your queens have some spots to hide. You can also try adding some planks of wood, among other things of various weights.

[Ameise]

So next month is the beginning of Crematogaster season and I really want a colony of these ants. I live in Chicago, Illinois, and I was wondering where and what time of day to search for dealates of this species. Also, if anyone has any experience or tips on keeping this species, please let me know.

 

I live in Will County, and I've been finding Crematogaster queens around... I found one while tearing apart my old fence and she had larvæ.

Loops117: Next month is August.

[cpman]

I've found them in a variety of places. It depends on the species. Like most ants, a pool is good.

I've found others just walking around on the ground and/or trees. I've also found some that turned oak galls into their founding chambers.

[Mdrogun]

i too have been looking for these, thanks for the info!

Edited by Mdrogun, July 3 2017 - 7:55 PM.

[Loops117]

 

So next month is the beginning of Crematogaster season and I really want a colony of these ants. I live in Chicago, Illinois, and I was wondering where and what time of day to search for dealates of this species. Also, if anyone has any experience or tips on keeping this species, please let me know.

 

I live in Will County, and I've been finding Crematogaster queens around... I found one while tearing apart my old fence and she had larvæ.

Loops117: Next month is August.

 

 

I'm lost fam. Thought it was still June.

[ultraex2]

I would love to get some of these too - they are fairly uncommon, unfortunately.

 

I know there are some colonies down by Lake Argyle near Macome in a wooded/foresty area but that's quite a bit of ways away.  (3.5+ hour drive).

 

I live over in Rockford - I will definitely let you know if I find any.

[Nincadaguy]

If you ever want to easily find Crematogaster, please come down to Tulsa, there are SOOO many Crematogaster colonies, they even flew today and I snagged a queen.

[Mettcollsuss]

Ultraex2 Rockford is only an hour drive from where I live. If you find any that you don't want you could sell some of them through the GAN project. I would be happy to buy one. Also, I caught two Tetramorium dealates and I only want one colony of them, so I might be able to trade you a Tetramorium queen for a Crematogaster queen, if you want.

[xTNxANTMANx]

I have recently caught me 3 Crematogaster queens. 2 had already made chambers in semi-rotten sticks roughly an inch or so diameter. The 3rd I found around 5pm while queen hunting down a gravel/dirt road. I have Crematogaster all over around my house but maybe this information will help. Also, if you manage to catch one, they like heat, so a heating cable would help. I have a colony of them already with roughly 100+ workers and they keep their brood right next to the heating cable wall.

[VoidElecent]

I have recently caught me 3 Crematogaster queens. 2 had already made chambers in semi-rotten sticks roughly an inch or so diameter. The 3rd I found around 5pm while queen hunting down a gravel/dirt road. I have Crematogaster all over around my house but maybe this information will help. Also, if you manage to catch one, they like heat, so a heating cable would help. I have a colony of them already with roughly 100+ workers and they keep their brood right next to the heating cable wall.

 

This perfect material for the mating chart! 

[CNewton]

How, exactly, did you choose to check the rotten sticks? Is there a tell-tale hole, loose bark, certain position? Is one species more likely to nest in dirt over wood, or is this a primarily arboreal ant? Is late August a better time to expect flights? Questions, questions, questions...

[Ameise]

As of right now (as correction to earlier), I've only found (and am keeping) one Crematogaster queen in Will County - she has three workers right now. I've kept an eye out, but haven't seen any others.

[skocko76]

Crematogaster scutellaris all around where I live. It's hot with no rain in sight, and no sign of flying. August is already here, hopefully they'll fly soon.
Any advice on how to catch and make founding set up, as they hey seem to be arboreal? The red headed rascals keep making trails high up the pine trees. Even on the ground, they appear to favor treading along exposed pine roots.