6 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

This last week has been warming up in Socal so today I took a walk around my hood and noticed an additional Dorymyrmex nest (being uncovered from hibernation?) near one I've been following. The forecast calls for rain tomorrow, so possibly some flights considering they were seen flying only a month ago?

[kellakk]

I hope so. I'll be out checking for flights tomorrow then I guess.

[dspdrew]

I was looking for Dorymyrmex insanus flights last year in January and February on warm days right after rain and never saw anything, so I'm not too confident it would happen this early. You never know though. Last year in Orange County they flew on March 3rd, a day after it rained, and flew a few more times within the following week. I think Prenolepis imparis would be more likely this early. Last year they flew on February 15th in Orange County, so that's only a couple weeks away.

[BugFinder]

I was looking for Dorymyrmex insanus flights last year in January and February on warm days right after rain and never saw anything, so I'm not too confident it would happen this early. You never know though. Last year in Orange County they flew on March 3rd, a day after it rained, and flew a few more times within the following week. I think Prenolepis imparis would be more likely this early. Last year they flew on February 15th in Orange County, so that's only a couple weeks away.

 

I'll be in OC on Feb 19.  Would love to go anting with you guys if they are flying on that day.

[kellakk]

I was looking for Dorymyrmex insanus flights last year in January and February on warm days right after rain and never saw anything, so I'm not too confident it would happen this early. You never know though. Last year in Orange County they flew on March 3rd, a day after it rained, and flew a few more times within the following week. I think Prenolepis imparis would be more likely this early. Last year they flew on February 15th in Orange County, so that's only a couple weeks away.

Last year was unusual though in that there was no significant rain for almost all of winter.  This year, with more rain overall, might be different.

[Foogoo]

I was looking for Dorymyrmex insanus flights last year in January and February on warm days right after rain and never saw anything, so I'm not too confident it would happen this early. You never know though. Last year in Orange County they flew on March 3rd, a day after it rained, and flew a few more times within the following week. I think Prenolepis imparis would be more likely this early. Last year they flew on February 15th in Orange County, so that's only a couple weeks away.

 

I'm wondering if the OC spots are prime ant areas or there just happen to be anters there. Has anyone tried some of the LA areas like Whittier Narrows or the San Gabriel Mountain foothills? I don't want to waste my time if those areas have already been tested.

[dspdrew]

All the mountains in Southern California are about the same as far as finding ants goes. I just happened to have spent a lot of time in the Santa Ana Mountains because they're close to where I live. The foothills of the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto Mountains are not much different. Obviously if you want to find the higher elevation species, then the Santa Ana Mountains won't work. It's a much different habitat once you go above 5,000 feet.

 

 

I'll be in OC on Feb 19.  Would love to go anting with you guys if they are flying on that day.

 

I'll keep that in mind.