946 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

I think it’s certainly possible. I won’t have any time to look, though.

[AntBoi3030]

A ton of males but I didn’t see a single queen. My guess is it was too windy.

[ANTdrew]

Exceedingly dry, too.

[AntBoi3030]

I checked underneath some rocks and found hundreds of males. It’s likely that they’ll fly again next time it’s above 68.

[ANTdrew]

I came across a big Prenolepis flight today. Temps got up to 76 F, and we had light rain two days ago.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

You guys are finding queens but I keep finding empty spaces where ants used to roam, the snow is almost gone and I bet the ants are close to coming out of hibernation 

 

Also nice find, did you catch her? I heard they are more skittish than Formica and that is what makes them hard to keep

Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, March 19 2025 - 5:02 PM.

[AntBoi3030]

I have high hopes for this weekend. I was worried I had missed Prenolepis flights last week, but it only got up to 68 and was quite windy. I briefly surveyed some colonies in my yard and carefully flipped a few rocks. Underneath, I found male and female alates. Some nests even had male alates poking their heads out of the nest entrance, which I found strange because it was 58F outside. It seems like they are quite eager to fly. The current forecast predicts that it will get up to 76 on Saturday! 

 

On a side note, I've noticed Prenolepis males outside of the nest recently. It hasn't been warm enough for an actual flight in a while and I've found them running across the base of trees and on the ground all by themselves. Does anyone know why this is?

 

Don't worry, I made sure to put the rock back and everyone got back inside the nest.

[AntBoi3030]

Prenolepis flights right now!

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[ANTdrew]

I’m heading out soon!

[ANTdrew]

I snagged a few P.imps here in Virginia, too.

[AntBoi3030]

Great work! They never seem to break off their wings…even if I caught them with a male attached to them.

[skink007]

Managed to find two trees completely covered in male alates in Baltimore City, but only found 2 queens. Seems the ladies didn't like the conditions as much as the guys did.

[AntBoi3030]

Glad to see another Marylander on here! What species do you keep?

I found a decent amount of queens. They definitely are far more elusive.

[Ants_Dakota]

Managed to find two trees completely covered in male alates in Baltimore City, but only found 2 queens. Seems the ladies didn't like the conditions as much as the guys did.

How far up the trees did the males go? Did you spot any nests nearby?

[skink007]

Glad to see another Marylander on here! What species do you keep?

I found a decent amount of queens. They definitely are far more elusive.

Nice to meet you! I have C. pennsylvanicus and a colony in hibernation I haven't identified yet. (formica?). Last year I had 2 prenolepis imparis colonies that I had for two years die on me, so I'm trying again this year.

 

 

 

Managed to find two trees completely covered in male alates in Baltimore City, but only found 2 queens. Seems the ladies didn't like the conditions as much as the guys did.

How far up the trees did the males go? Did you spot any nests nearby?

 

They were covering the tree from about 5' to as high as I could make out, maybe ~20' and above. I didn't see any nests, but I did see workers at the base of the tree and I suspect the nests were quite nearby. It was very gusty out yesterday, so I might take another walk today and see if there is a second chance.

 

[Ants_Dakota]

 

Glad to see another Marylander on here! What species do you keep?

I found a decent amount of queens. They definitely are far more elusive.

Nice to meet you! I have C. pennsylvanicus and a colony in hibernation I haven't identified yet. (formica?). Last year I had 2 prenolepis imparis colonies that I had for two years die on me, so I'm trying again this year.

 

 

 

Managed to find two trees completely covered in male alates in Baltimore City, but only found 2 queens. Seems the ladies didn't like the conditions as much as the guys did.

How far up the trees did the males go? Did you spot any nests nearby?

 

They were covering the tree from about 5' to as high as I could make out, maybe ~20' and above. I didn't see any nests, but I did see workers at the base of the tree and I suspect the nests were quite nearby. It was very gusty out yesterday, so I might take another walk today and see if there is a second chance.

 

Fascinating behavior. I wonder if the wind drove them up there or if they naturally do that. I do know they like to fly from structures but I have never heard anyone mention that they fly from that high up.

[AntBoi3030]

Possible Camponotus flights tomorrow night. Supposed to be in the 70s after sundown, and it rained a few days ago. What do you guys think?

[ANTdrew]

I think it will be way too windy. Still pretty early as well.

[AntBoi3030]

The chances are slim, although the wind is dying down to <12 mph in the next hour. It is quite humid too...

[ANTdrew]

C. chromaiodes flying in Alexandria!