30 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Hey, for all the Southern California people here, I finally updated my "Southern California Ants" Google Map after Google made some changes to the application that kind of broke it. I now use red points for all alates or queens spotted, and the old blue points for workers.
 
I refer to this map constantly as we move through the anting season. Each entry has the exact date and time the alates or queens were caught, along with lots of other info. This helps greatly when trying to predict when I might catch them the next time around. Most records were added in the order they're listed also.

 

If you want the .KMZ files, they are attached to this post for download. One is the entire map, and the other is just the specimens.
 

 
 
If you have a sighting in the Southern California area you would like to add to the map, I guess this thread would be the place to report it.
 
If it's a worker, give me the following:

1. GPS coordinates
2. Species
3. Date found
4. Location of the nest or just an individual?
5. Links to any associated forum threads (like journals or ID threads), videos, or pictures of yours.


If it's an alate or dealate give me the following:

1. GPS coordinates
2. Species
3. Alate or Dealate?
4. Time and date found.
5. Behavior at the time found
6. Nuptial flight time and date if known
7. Location of the nest or just an individual?
8. Links to any associated forum threads (like journals or ID threads), videos, or pictures of yours.

If it's a worker of a species that's already been reported in the area, then I might not add it.

Attached Files

•  Southern California Ants.kmz   23.92KB   131 downloads
•  Specimens.kmz   23.75KB   100 downloads

[Chromerust]

That is pretty awesome. Nobody in SoCal has any excuse to whine about not finding queens. If you don't get some then you really didn't try.

[dspdrew]

Very true.

[Foogoo]

That is pretty awesome. Nobody in SoCal has any excuse to whine about not finding queens. If you don't get some then you really didn't try.

 

Hopefully I'll have some luck this spring!

 

Edit: My friend lives in Wrightwood and it looks like there's more than a few potentially good locations to hunt nearby. I'll be visiting her a lot soon!

Edited by Foogoo, January 19 2015 - 12:08 AM.

[LAnt]

Another reason to move to SoCal

[jimbodw07]

This is absolutely essential. I was wondering if others are able to add data to this map. We could add some more of the Myrmecocystus species in the high desert.

[dspdrew]

Right now I'm the only one who can edit it. If you PM me some other locations--particularly queens--I'd love to add them.

[LAnt]

They have some site called inaturalist.org where you can add nature finds. I don't know how popular it will get between us though.

[Foogoo]

How would you like us to present new finds to you to add to the map? Coordinates? Map link? Area description? Battleship coordinates?

 

I think this map is great not only for revisiting "lucky" areas but also predicting whether certain areas are worth visiting or don't have much other than Linepithema (hint: SGV). Almost everyone has been open and willing to share where they've got their finds. It's not gold you guys/gals. As my friends like to say: "They're just ants!".

[dspdrew]

I guess this thread would be a good place to report sitings if you are in the Southern California area.
 
If it's a worker, give me the following:
 
1. GPS coordinates
2. Species
3. Date found
4. Location of the nest or just an individual?
5. Links to any associated forum threads (like journals or ID threads), videos, or pictures of yours.
 
 
If it's an alate or dealate give me the following:
 
1. GPS coordinates
2. Species
3. Alate or Dealate?
4. Time and date found.
5. Behavior at the time found
6. Nuptial flight time and date if known
7. Location of the nest or just an individual?
8. Links to any associated forum threads (like journals or ID threads), videos, or pictures of yours.
 
If it's a worker of a species that's already been reported in the area, then I might not add it.

[Foogoo]

Here are the ones I found recently to add to your map:

 

33.920423, -117.820677 and 33.920143, -117.821169

Dorymyrmex insanus

11:00am, 3/9/2015

Dug up founding chambers

http://www.formicult...t-observations/

 

34.049121, -118.071439

Dorymyrmex cf. bicolor

11:00am, 3/6/2015

Swarming alates and wandering dealates

Multiple nests

EDIT: There were also a good number of Pogonomyrmex californicus(?) nests in this area, including one nest that was almost literally a geyser of workers pouring out.

Edited by Foogoo, March 10 2015 - 9:58 AM.

[PTAntFan]

34°12'13.9"N 118°09'32.4"W
34.203850, -118.159003
Pogonomyrmex californicus
5:45pm 4/3/2014
Workers amidst Argentine attack at nest
https://onedrive.liv...thint=video,mp4

Edited by dspdrew, May 2 2015 - 10:31 PM.
Fixed link

[PTAntFan]

34°12'11.0"N 118°09'20.9"W
34.203054, -118.155792
Pogonomyrmex californicus
5:30pm 4/3/2014
Workers at nest
https://onedrive.liv...thint=video,mp4

Edited by dspdrew, May 2 2015 - 10:37 PM.
Fixed link

[dspdrew]

Forgot about this thread. I'll try to add them when I get a chance.

[Foogoo]

Here are the locations I found the Formica queens on 4-18-2015 between 11am-3pm:

34.260440, -117.467910

34.274532, -117.453483 (actually a few yards east at the creek/road junction)

34.316333, -117.499778

[dspdrew]

I updated the map.

[dspdrew]

Added lots of new records.

[aniles71077]

33°53'04.3"N 118°07'29.1"W

P. californicus
Dealates
~6:45-7:30pm 6/7/15
3 individuals walking on the concrete (6/7/15). 2 dug up from founding chambers (6/8/15)

[Foogoo]

Are you interested in adding more P. californicus records considering how abundant they are? I have a few more if you are.

[dspdrew]

Only if they are queens, or if it's an area that doesn't have any P. californicus marked yet. Also only if you are 100% sure they're P. californicus.