14 replies to this topic

[HI_Ants]

Is there anyone here from Honolulu Hawaii? I am new to this ant keeping hobby and is looking to buy some queen ants. lmk thanks

[T.C.]

There was... but I think he moved to connecticut.

[Connectimyrmex]

That's me! 
I'm still pretty knowledgable about the Hawaiian ants, so feel free to ask me about identification.

I'd recommend starting with Brachymyrmex obscurior. It's small, common, and easy to keep. They swarm all year.

You should also consider raising Solenopsis geminata, Pheidole megacephala, and Ochetellus glaber. Those three species also make great beginner ants. When you get a bit more experienced, you should try keeping Pseudomyrmex gracilis mexicanus. They are semi-claustral, so you have to feed the queens. They are very active and colorful.

 

HINT: Check tennis courts for ants.

Edited by Connectimyrmex, August 23 2017 - 4:34 AM.

[HI_Ants]

Thank you so much. I'll let you know when I fine my first queen. BTW what time of the day and months of the year should I be looking for them? I have been walking around my block, and near by parks for the past 2 weeks and no luck. My daughter is 4 years old, she walks everywhere with me, I keep telling her we will fine a queen but so far no luck. I have been looking out for warm and raining days. I will try the tennis courts next. Any help will be great thanks.

[Connectimyrmex]

Tennis courts are ant hotspots during the evening. Here's the best spots:
Ala moana beach park (Solenopsis geminata) (7-8 pm)
Kahala tennis courts (Brachymyrmex obscurior) (4-5pm)
Aina haina tennis courts (Brachymyrmex obscurior, Solenopsis geminata, Coptotermes gestroi) (4-8 pm) (Pseudomyrmex gracilis) (Any time in the spring and summer)

Punahou campus (Technomyrmex sp, Ochetellus glaber) (anytime in the morning) (Cryptotermes sp) (anytime in the evening) (Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Any time in the spring and summer) (Anoplolepis gracilipes) (7pm) (Camponotus variegatus (8pm)
Kailua racquet club (Tetramorium bicarinatum) (8 pm)

Wailupe beach park (Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Technomyrmex sp) (Any time in the spring and summer)

 

From experience, ants in hawaii rarely cross the sidewalk. 
You can find semi claustral queens (technomyrmex, pseudomyrmex, tetramorium) on rock walls, fences, trees, and buildings.
 

[HI_Ants]

it rained very hard last night and this morning was sunshine. I have a feeling queens would come out. Around 5pm thousand of male and queens was flying on my street. it was all over my front yard. my daughter and we had a great time picking up queens so far we go and 7 Solenopsis geminata and 7 Brachymyrmex obscurior.

 

I have a qustion what do you guys put on the side of the tanks so they don't craw out?

[Connectimyrmex]

Don't put them in a tank. With the weaker species (Ochetellus glaber & Brachymyrmex obscurior) they can just be put in a tupperware with airholes once they get workers (not during founding)! Make sure to plug the airholes with cotton.

With Solenopsis geminata, you may have to make a baby powder barrier. See if you can find a tutorial on how to make one.

[Fastcbr10]

Aloha all,
I am new to any keeping and looking to get started with some local Hawaiian ants. What types of ants are swarming this time of year and are any of them good as a starter colony?

Thanks for any replies.
Dan

[Enderz]

Aloha all,
I am new to any keeping and looking to get started with some local Hawaiian ants. What types of ants are swarming this time of year and are any of them good as a starter colony?

Thanks for any replies.
Dan

Idk if you saw, but if you scroll up Ben already made a chart. Here it is:

 

"Ala moana beach park (Solenopsis geminata) (7-8 pm)
Kahala tennis courts (Brachymyrmex obscurior) (4-5pm)
Aina haina tennis courts (Brachymyrmex obscurior, Solenopsis geminata, Coptotermes gestroi) (4-8 pm) (Pseudomyrmex gracilis) (Any time in the spring and summer)

Punahou campus (Technomyrmex sp, Ochetellus glaber) (anytime in the morning) (Cryptotermes sp) (anytime in the evening) (Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Any time in the spring and summer) (Anoplolepis gracilipes) (7pm) (Camponotus variegatus (8pm)
Kailua racquet club (Tetramorium bicarinatum) (8 pm)

Wailupe beach park (Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Technomyrmex sp) (Any time in the spring and summer)"

[Fastcbr10]

Thank you. I don’t know how I missed that. I guess it’s off to the hunt.

[Enderz]

Thank you. I don’t know how I missed that. I guess it’s off to the hunt.

Have fun and good luck!

[Fastcbr10]

Well I caught a Pseudomyrmex gracilis in my kitchen of all places and a Brachymyrmex obscurior in my driveway. I guess I really just needed to start looking for them because they are here.

[justaguy]

Hi I was wondering if anyone knows where and what i can find in Ewa beach I heard about some of the stuff on the other side but was wondering what i could find by me?

Edited by justaguy, December 29 2022 - 3:34 PM.

[Zeiss]

Hi I was wondering if anyone knows where and what i can find in Ewa beach I heard about some of the stuff on the other side but was wondering what i could find by me?

This isn't the place to ask about finding queens in Hawai'i; that should have been a new thread you start in General Anting.

[AntNerd808]

Hi I was wondering if anyone knows where and what i can find in Ewa beach I heard about some of the stuff on the other side but was wondering what i could find by me?

mostly pheidole and crazy ants. if u live anywhere near ocean pointe, pretty much all you will find are black crazy ants.