842 replies to this topic

[YsTheAnt]

That was an early flight, they have their main flights in mid November apparently, according to some people on the Ants California Facebook.

[Antking123]

Where in the Bay Area are Stenamma flying? I heard they are very hard to find now because of Argentine ants and I have never seen a single worker anywhere here. 

[YsTheAnt]

Argentine ants stop spreading right where Housing and Development stops. There it's like a a safe haven for all Native ants. I know of places that are infected by Argentine ants but yet a block away there five different carpenter ant species and much much more.

[Jadeninja9]

That Solenopsis Queen that flew Oct 25 was infertile oof

[YsTheAnt]

Big oooofffff.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Prenolepis flying soon?

[YsTheAnt]

Maybe in a few weeks... You can't miss their flights, drones EVERYWHERE on the bigger ones. There will be males for a long time before any female alates fly.

Last year the first few days of February was good.

[FSTP]

I'm not that close to the bay area, I'm in the central valley but I'm hoping to find some Prenolepis imparis  this season. I'm hoping I can find them in my area, and I don't have to go to far north.

[YsTheAnt]

I'm not that close to the bay area, I'm in the central valley but I'm hoping to find some Prenolepis imparis this season. I'm hoping I can find them in my area, and I don't have to go to far north.

If you can't catch any we can trade haha. I catch tons up here.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 4 2019 - 4:26 PM.

[FSTP]

That would be great YsTheAnt  

Edited by FSTP, January 4 2019 - 4:26 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Will the males for P. imparis also fly before the females start? Or do you just see the males around the entrances to the nest?

 

Maybe in a few weeks... You can't miss their flights, drones EVERYWHERE on the bigger ones. There will be males for a long time before any female alates fly.

Last year the first few days of February was good.

[YsTheAnt]

They'll fly, by the dozens. The first day of their actual nuptials, I was debating not even looking because I had seen drones for weeks before.

I decided to look eventually because when I looked towards the sun, I could see hundreds of males flying about, many more than just the day before. There's no way to be certain, but 70F+ days seem to be key.

There were multiple 68F degree days that I went out looking and found nothing, so it's also a bit of luck. The first 70F+ degree days of the year didn't seem to disappoint though.

Good luck!

[Antking123]

What time of day do you catch them around the morning? I presume they are also in more public areas like small parks too which is where I have always seen their trails.

[YsTheAnt]

12pm till sunset is when I caught mine last year. They can be found in multiple places, but I find forest edges have the most queens.

[sirjordanncurtis]

12pm till sunset is when I caught mine last year. They can be found in multiple places, but I find forest edges have the most queens.

 

Can you dig them out of founding chambers?

[YsTheAnt]

Not sure, never tried. I think someone did in the past. If you get to a good location during their flights you shouldn't have to, they're everywhere.

[EthanNgo678]

Where's a good location?

[YsTheAnt]

Look around forest edges, anywhere that has a lot of nests.

[Derpy]

Also at the base of trees

[sirjordanncurtis]

Just caught a queen, thanks to Derpy's help. The weather's a little on and off today, so tomorrow might have larger results.