9 replies to this topic

[BugFinder]

What California species is your favorite and why?  I'm really looking forward to reading what you guys have to say,

 

Thanks,

[dspdrew]

Acromyrmex versicolor because they're the only fungus-growers/leaf-cutters found in the state. They are the most entertaining ants to watch, and they make really impressive mounds. My second favorite would be a species of Myrmecocystus (Honeypot ants). I like ants with long legs and big eyes. Myrmecocystus are also cool because of the unique things they do like how most have repletes, and make cool looking nests.

[Gregory2455]

Acromyrmex versicolor! After that I would need to say Myrmecocystus. Then third place would be a tie between Cyphomyrmex, Pheidole, and probably Polyergus.

[dean_k]

If I ever move to CA which won't happen, I'd love to have colonies of harvester ants and fungus farming ants. And there are honey pot ants in CA as well. Man, CA guys have the goodies.

 

And I want ants that aren't black or dark brown... for once. Imparis is my only chance for something that isn't black or dark brown.

[Gregory2455]

Arizona has it better. They have everything we have, plus Odontomachus clarus, Atta mexicana, and a species of Cephalotes!

[Vendayn]

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Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 7:16 PM.

[DesertAntz]

Arizona has it better. They have everything we have, plus Odontomachus clarus, Atta mexicana, and a species of Cephalotes!

I want to try and get some of those species so I can make some journals for you guys. 

[Gregory2455]

My personal favorites (that I have personally seen) are Forelius pruinosus/mccooki ...

Really? Have you checked out my journal? Sad ending to that colony...

[Vendayn]

 

My personal favorites (that I have personally seen) are Forelius pruinosus/mccooki ...

Really? Have you checked out my journal? Sad ending to that colony...

 

Ah, I found it. I'll have to look. I may have had better success just because I get them from already mature colonies and they never die on me. Maybe their founding stages are harder. I've never even seen their mating flights at all, or any new queen making a colony. I've always just seen them split off part of their colony. Then again, a lot of ants (especially Dorymyrmex/Forelius) need re-working into exact species they are as a lot that are Forelius pruinosus/mccooki are actually different species.

 

In any case, I've always had success with them with taking a few queens+part of the colony. They've always been really easy for me. I had a couple colonies come up to 50,000+ ants in a 6 month time period. With starting with a few queens/few hundred workers.

 

With that said, for some reason...some ant keepers have better success with certain species and another person may have a horrible time at keeping them. Like for me, Camponotus I do so badly with. It takes them literally 9-12 months (it took an entire year once) for them to produce workers. On many occasions I wait more than half a year. They get workers, then the workers die shortly after and I'm left with a workerless queen who dies too. I've never been good with Camponotus. Yet, other people have huge success with them. Then again, I never hibernate my ants...and Camponotus tend to hibernate. So, that is probably why. Still, it takes ages for them to get their first workers.

Edited by Vendayn, December 28 2014 - 10:00 PM.

[Gregory2455]

That is weird. Well, I am in the desert right now, so maybe I will find a Forelius colony!