26 replies to this topic

[gcsnelling]

 

I could only imagine Myrmecocystus testaceus living that north.

 

My Advanced Environmental Science teacher has a doctorate in Entomology and he studied Central Washington's ants for quite some time and he told me that there are a handful of species present.

 

According to Antweb the only species there is M. testaceus.

[Shareallicu]

I have been through much of Washington state, and to the east are Myrmecocystus, Pogonomyrmex, and some other interesting species in the scrubland. Nearer the coast, like the Seattle area, seems to have a good population of Lasius pallitarsis and parasitic Lasius species, some Camponotus here and there, a ton of Formica pacifica and Formica cf. rufa (not rufa but similar. I haven't identified them… Possibly F. excectoides.), and some Temnothorax. Supposedly there is an introduced ponerine species, but I have yet to see that one.

I live just 20 miles north of Seattle and found a Formica Podzolica queen.

[antgenius123]

Actually 183 species.

[gcsnelling]

I guess I should have been more clear and said "According to Antweb the only Myrmecocystus species there is M. testaceus".

[Arrowscotch]

I've caught about 6 queens so far. I started looking for them around October of 2016 when i ended up riding my bike through a nuptial flight. i found one late flyer in December and i'm still looking for hibernating queens in woodpiles that people let me disturb.

[Goldsystem]

I live just across the border in Oregon you can pm me if you want to talk local ants

[Shareallicu]

I live in Lynnwood too, and have been looking for queen ants since late august 2016.  I found two that both died, then my neighbor found one, (A formica podzolica) that is still alive, last I checked, but she is eating her eggs).  I am hoping she is just waiting for warmer weather to start her colony.  I rarely check on her, so I don't see how she could be stressed.   I should check to make sure she is alive soon hehe