9 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

So I've been wanting to keep leafcutter ants forever, and I just learned that Trachymyrmex septentrionalis live in my area. Does anyone know when they fly, so I can catch a queen? Thanks.

[Evanthomas89]

I have them in my area as well and heard they fly in early August here on the East Coast. 

[FeedTheAnts]

They are in my area as well and I've seen alates still in the nests. I'm not sure if that means they have not flown yet though.

[Flame.Hyped]

I'm from NY and they're apparently near my area, I'm also curious as to when they fly

[Mettcollsuss]

Also, what would I keep them in? A test tube or formicarium doesn't seem to have enoght open space for their fungus gardens to grow.

[Bryansant]

This article is by the folks from NMNH of the Smithsonian who say they’ve kept every species? of fungus farming ant. The three container setup makes the most sense: middle container with plaster floor is hydrated for fungus farm and one container for food and one for colony waste. https://www.research...rmicinae_Attini

Edited by Bryansant, May 7 2018 - 10:21 AM.

[Bryansant]

Also look at Drew’s Acromyrmex setups somewhere on this forum; similar idea, probably better hydration system

[Major]

Deleted

Edited by The_NY_Major, July 10 2018 - 1:33 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

 

I'm from NY and they're apparently near my area, I'm also curious as to when they fly

Sorry to burst your bubble Flame.Hyped but there’s no Trachyamyrmex in NY.

 

Antmaps.org says there are.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

If you have a population near you, we've been finding queens walking about since the start July. A friend in Ohio said colonies there have alates in them the second week of June. They either fly twice a year or queens from previous flights continue foraging well into the following year. I'm not sure which but it might be worth it to dig into an established colony and take a little bit of fungus from them to help get your queens started.