54 replies to this topic

[nurbs]

Just noticed this species looks like a mix between Camponotus and Colobopsis, with the slightly flattened face with little pores on them. Do the major workers also have the same characteristics as the queen? For all I know Colobopsis evolved from the larger Camponotus but that's about it. Any reason to why that is, more specifically convergent evolution or does C. yogi represents a part of the lineage that led to Colobopsis?

 

Yup, they do. Take a look at this paper by Gordon's father. He argues they may have been incorrectly classified. That was my takeaway, at least.

 

Gordon could give you better answers. Should at least address some of your questions:

 

http://www.antwiki.o...elling_1966.pdf

 

Edited by nurbs, February 8 2018 - 4:48 PM.

[nurbs]

Nice @nurbs! Looking forward to the images. Btw, do you think if I went down there I could find some also? Or do you think they are done for the time being?

 

Not impossible, but highly unlikely? Went back three additional nights and thought I found more, but they all keyed out to C. clarithorax (it's impossible to ID them in the field at night, even with a headlamp, proper ID requires a macro lens).

 

But if you do go, read the below thread first by our buddy KBant, who had the same idea as you 

 

http://www.formicult...st-time-anting/

[dspdrew]

Can't wait to see the pictures.

[StopSpazzing]

 

Nice @nurbs! Looking forward to the images. Btw, do you think if I went down there I could find some also? Or do you think they are done for the time being?

 

Not impossible, but highly unlikely? Went back three additional nights and thought I found more, but they all keyed out to C. clarithorax (it's impossible to ID them in the field at night, even with a headlamp, proper ID requires a macro lens).

 

But if you do go, read the below thread first by our buddy KBant, who had the same idea as you 

 

http://www.formicult...st-time-anting/

 

Thanks, and wouldn't mind C. clarithorax. Need more than 1 native species. You listed the time at around 730ish and have an iNaturalist.org siteing is it near that location that you recommend looking? (haven't read the post yet)

[nurbs]

Thanks, and wouldn't mind C. clarithorax. Need more than 1 native species. You listed the time at around 730ish and have an iNaturalist.org siteing is it near that location that you recommend looking? (haven't read the post yet)

 

 

 

Yup, that is the exact spot. Look on the oak trees!

 

Generally, the night will need to be warm, at least 65 for them to be out. They flew 2 weeks ago, so not sure how many are still out. 

 

Keep in mind the trail has A GATE THAT CLOSES AT 8PM. A cop usually drives into the parking lot to warn visitors before closing, but there have been times where they didn't. Last season, slept in my truck twice because was too busy collecting C. quercicola til 2am in the morning.

 

If you're not used to camping or being out in nature at night alone, yes - it will get creepy. Lots of spooky sounds like wind, branches cracking and falling, critters like birds and rodents moving about in the darkness, even water can sound creepy. Be aware of rattlers and mountain lions. Those are also nocturnal. And if you see a black unmarked windowless van that says "Solenopsis inside", stay away.

 

EDIT: Forgot to mention one more thing. If you don't find anything now, it's OK, don't stress it. I went a few weeks ago because it has been unusually warm this year and the trail is only 30 min away.

 

Have a hunch they will fly again as well as the larger Camponotus. Here is my log from last season. Everything there flew early March.:

 

http://www.formicult...-chart/?p=53238

Edited by nurbs, February 8 2018 - 10:47 PM.

[StopSpazzing]

 

Thanks, and wouldn't mind C. clarithorax. Need more than 1 native species. You listed the time at around 730ish and have an iNaturalist.org siteing is it near that location that you recommend looking? (haven't read the post yet)

 

 

 

Yup, that is the exact spot. Look on the oak trees!

 

Generally, the night will need to be warm, at least 65 for them to be out. They flew 2 weeks ago, so not sure how many are still out. 

 

Keep in mind the trail has A GATE THAT CLOSES AT 8PM. A cop usually drives into the parking lot to warn visitors before closing, but there have been times where they didn't. Last season, slept in my truck twice because was too busy collecting C. quercicola til 2am in the morning.

 

If you're not used to camping or being out in nature at night alone, yes - it will get creepy. Lots of spooky sounds like wind, branches cracking and falling, critters like birds and rodents moving about in the darkness, even water can sound creepy. Be aware of rattlers and mountain lions. Those are also nocturnal. And if you see a black unmarked windowless van that says "Solenopsis inside", stay away.

 

EDIT: Forgot to mention one more thing. If you don't find anything now, it's OK, don't stress it. I went a few weeks ago because it has been unusually warm this year and the trail is only 30 min away.

 

Have a hunch they will fly again as well as the larger Camponotus. Here is my log from last season. Everything there flew early March.:

 

http://www.formicult...-chart/?p=53238

 

It's going to be @ those temps tomorrow night: https://www.accuweat.../332023?hour=41so would be perfect to head out there tomorrow night. You are awesome nurbs, thanks for all the great info!! If you have anymore suggestions, let me know.

[dspdrew]

And if you see a black unmarked windowless van that says "Solenopsis inside", stay away.

 

[Ants_Texas]

Don't you think the van should have (free) something you'd actually want painted on it?

[nurbs]

For 3 hours last night and another two this afternoon, been trying to get some focus stacked macro shots of the yogi. It has been an exercise in hair pulling futility and pure frustration.

 

She just won't stay still!!! Keeps slowly moving her head and antennae slowwwwwly back and forth.

 

For those wondering what focus stacking is, I'm attempting to taking 30-60 STILL macro closeup shots of her head at different focus settings, then bringing all those images into photoshop and merging the "in focus" areas to get a single image that is very clear from front focus to the back focus, like the images on Antweb, showing all the details of her amazing face. This is called deep stacking. Previous images shot were focus stacked with just two or three images, so that was easy. The closer and more macro you get to a subject, the more shallow the depth of field (your wall of focus). Even with a higher fstop, that wall of focus is extremely narrow.

 

Wanted to get some crazy high resolution headshots, which does not look like it will happen unless she dies

 

Anyway. Decided to release my rage and shoot more video. At least that's easy. Enjoy

 

Edited by nurbs, February 9 2018 - 3:38 PM.

[nurbs]

Wasn't sure if she was even fertile. She's very chill, almost sweet. Very calm. Bright light does not freak her out, as it does other Camponotus species such as C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. fragilis, and C. modoc. Checked on her yesterday and she has laid two elongated eggs. 

 

Maybe I should start a journal?

 

[Derpy]

Can you also start a journal on your polygnous Pogonomyrmex colony?

[Jadeninja9]

Wasn't sure if she was even fertile. She's very chill, almost sweet. Very calm. Bright light does not freak her out, as it does other Camponotus species such as C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. fragilis, and C. modoc. Checked on her yesterday and she has laid two elongated eggs. 

 

Maybe I should start a journal?

 

Why does she look dead?

[nurbs]

 

Wasn't sure if she was even fertile. She's very chill, almost sweet. Very calm. Bright light does not freak her out, as it does other Camponotus species such as C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. fragilis, and C. modoc. Checked on her yesterday and she has laid two elongated eggs. 

 

Maybe I should start a journal?

 

Why does she look dead?

 

 

What makes you say she's dead? She's just chillin.

 

This is dead:

 

[Ants_Texas]

Wasn't sure if she was even fertile. She's very chill, almost sweet. Very calm. Bright light does not freak her out, as it does other Camponotus species such as C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. fragilis, and C. modoc. Checked on her yesterday and she has laid two elongated eggs. 

 

Maybe I should start a journal?

 

I'm all for a Nurbs Journal™. We don't get too many of those.

[Jonathan21700]

How do you keep the video so stable? Tripod? 

[Jadeninja9]

Lol

[nurbs]

This species doesn't develop fast, but she's up to eight workers now 

 

[nurbs]

Just checked today and she is up to nine workers with more incoming!

 

 

 

[nurbs]

Tonight, I was out collecting beetles for Caltech and found what appears to be a lone C. yogi major. She's adorable, when I caught her she played dead!

 

My C. yogi colony is doing OK, they seem to develop very slow. Right now she has 15 workers and a decent sized pile of brood with new eggs from this season. This major is big compared to the workers I have in my own colony. None of them are this size yet.

 

I found her at Rubio Canyon, real close to Chaney.

 

 

 

Edited by nurbs, May 15 2019 - 1:29 AM.

[FSTP]

she is adorable! Absolutely the cutest! Like a little puppy, would, maybe make a great subject for an illustration.

Edited by FSTP, May 15 2019 - 4:27 AM.