460 replies to this topic

[rbarreto]

I believe I found a Solenpsis molesta queen today.

[Ikerrilove]

This thread is awesome, glad to have found you all. I live up the ottawa river a bit and I've had some luck here finding queens. I have a secret weapon, the 2nd floor deck facing the river is a queen magnet. I need to get some pictures but I'm to nervous about disturbing them since this is my first time keeping anything like ants. I think I'm totally addicted though and I need all the help I can get. I kinda dived into this so I'm using 'test tubes' that are plastic and colored and meant to drinking shots at a bridal shower or something. They're working so far but I will be investing in better tubes since it's hard to see through them. 

 

I'll be watching this thread to see what I can expect around this area. Last night I caught about 7 crematogaster queens so I may have extra if anyones interested.

 

Once again it's nice to meet you all.

[Ikerrilove]

Anyone know of a place that sells supplies in Ottawa? Other than the big name stores?

[rbarreto]

There isn't really anyplace that sells supplies specifically for ants. However Critter Jungle has tons of insect/reptile items that you may be able to use for ants. I've talked to one of the guys that works there and he was thinking of ordering some formicaria from a store in Toronto.

[Penguin]

Saw a couple Myrmica sp. queens today and one yesterday, didn't catch any as I'm not confident in my ability to raise one.

[rbarreto]

Somehow I've managed to find 10 dead Crematogasters and only 1 live one. She hasn't laid eggs though....This genus hates me.

[Canadian anter]

Crematogaster only lay eggs after hibernation

[rbarreto]

Okay that's good news. Seems like a long time though.

[rbarreto]

Tomorrow and Sunday look like a good days for flights!

Edited by rbarreto, August 17 2018 - 10:43 AM.

[Lazarus]

Tomorrow and Sunday look like a good days for flights!

 

I will be in Montreal but the weather looks pretty much the same there so with a little luck I'll find something there.
Fact: I have found 3 Lasius Queens in Montreal since last year.
Fact: They have all died, two after having brood.

Hopefully my luck with Lasius will improve.

[Penguin]

Found a single  Crematogaster sp. queen in my backyard while playing fetch with my dog  . I listened to the advice "Always keep a test-tube or capture container on you when you go outside," and it payed off!

[Nare]

Found a single  Crematogaster sp. queen in my backyard while playing fetch with my dog  . I listened to the advice "Always keep a test-tube or capture container on you when you go outside," and it payed off!

Oh wow. I should have gone looking today then. I'll check tomorrow for sure.

[Penguin]

I saw one random Tetramorium sp. queen today... probably got evicted from a multi queen nest after they got workers 

[rbarreto]

Found a fusca group queen today. It must be the tail end of their flights.

Edited by rbarreto, August 19 2018 - 1:06 PM.

[Ikerrilove]

Since you all are fairly local(ish) and I couldn't get a measurement without stressing her out. Maybe you have some ideas..

my other question is did she damage her gaster or am I just not used to seeing the under side? I hope she's ok since I only saw the one queen out today.

 

[rbarreto]

I would guess Formica glacialis but you can't really be sure unless you go through the fusca group queen key on antwiki.

[Canadian anter]

The Formica and Tetramorium queens found this time of year are rejects from pleometrophic colonies.

[Ikerrilove]

The Formica and Tetramorium queens found this time of year are rejects from pleometrophic colonies.

 

Would make sense why I only found her at in an odd kind of way. I didn't notice she was a queen untill long after I had started photographing her in the wild. 

 

I caught 2 other species today after watching a few colonies take off this evening from the shoreline. I'll ID them tomorrow. One was very orange so I have a feeling she might be a social parasite. I'd like to get one more species this year. Right now I'm pretty sure I have 2 Camponotus and some Solenopsis molesta I think. I'm not counting the Crematogaster queens till they have nanitics next year. 

At least if I don't get anymore I can probably trade for one later. Right this second, I'm happy to know enough to not kill them while I learn the basics of Ants and other lovely bugs. today I worked on anatomy. Some of the pages are advanced for someone as ignorant as me but that's what google is for. 

 

Happy Anting.

[rbarreto]

The Formica and Tetramorium queens found this time of year are rejects from pleometrophic colonies.

I thought it was late but she still had wings and I found her in a pool.

[rbarreto]

One of either L. brevicornis, L. nearcticus, or L. cryptus flew today! I will post an ID thread later. Caught so many queens!

 

*EDIT* I'm almost completely sure they are L. brevicornis/neacticus. Heres some pictures:

 

 

 

Edited by rbarreto, August 20 2018 - 2:28 PM.