2450 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Curious about this Camponotus. The only species that flies this late in the season are fragilis, and AFAIK there are no fragilis in that area. Could be wrong.

 
I don't think they're fragilis. Here are two quick shots.

That looks exactly like the C. semitestaceus I found out there before. Too bad I already have a million of these.

[TheAntGuy]

Anyone have some spot reccomendations along highway 74? This will be my first time going there.

[Zeiss]

Anyone have some spot reccomendations along highway 74? This will be my first time going there.

Most of the rain hit along the Taylor area, so just pull off the highway and look when you feel like it.

[dspdrew]

Anyone have some spot reccomendations along highway 74? This will be my first time going there.

 

I saw the most queens right around Carrizo Rd.

 

There were tons of Pogonomyrmex rugosus queens running around. I dug up a few Myrmecocystus queens, probably mimicus. I also dug up a strangely colored Pogonomyrmex californicus queen. It is a very Orangish red, with a darker gaster. At the higher elevation side of the area that got rain, near Scenic Drive, I found a Pogonomyrmex subnitidus queen.

 

Digging up the P. californicus queen was really strange because I have never even seen a P. californicus colony anywhere around that area.

[AntsCalifornia]

When looking for Pogonomyrmex, what time of the day do they usually forage? Anyone know?

[dspdrew]

When looking for pogos, what time of the day do they usually forage? Anyone know?

 

The queens forage in the evening and at night.

[AntsCalifornia]

Thanks

 

I think I might try to find some of those queens nurbs was talking about. When you say off highway 39, though, is there a specific place? 

Edited by AntsCalifornia, July 16 2019 - 11:02 AM.

[BADANT]

 

Anyone have some spot reccomendations along highway 74? This will be my first time going there.

 

I saw the most queens right around Carrizo Rd.

 

There were tons of Pogonomyrmex rugosus queens running around. I dug up a few Myrmecocystus queens, probably mimicus. I also dug up a strangely colored Pogonomyrmex californicus queen. It is a very Orangish red, with a darker gaster. At the higher elevation side of the area that got rain, near Scenic Drive, I found a Pogonomyrmex subnitidus queen.

 

Digging up the P. californicus queen was really strange because I have never even seen a P. californicus colony anywhere around that area.

 

How do you safely dig up a queens foundry?

[NickAnter]

You use a shovel. Drew has videos of him doing it. Just look up: digging up veromessor pergandei queens, on youtube.

[miwu]

Anyone have some spot reccomendations along highway 74? This will be my first time going there.

I saw the most queens right around Carrizo Rd.

There were tons of Pogonomyrmex rugosus queens running around. I dug up a few Myrmecocystus queens, probably mimicus. I also dug up a strangely colored Pogonomyrmex californicus queen. It is a very Orangish red, with a darker gaster. At the higher elevation side of the area that got rain, near Scenic Drive, I found a Pogonomyrmex subnitidus queen.

Digging up the P. californicus queen was really strange because I have never even seen a P. californicus colony anywhere around that area.

I was there that night again. Found a bunch of holes that you dug up lol. I only found Pogonomyrmex rugosus on Carrizo Rd. but found some Myrmecocystus mimicus further South. I also found three more Camponotus semitestaceus and one Crematogaster queens, all wandering around.

[ariaant]

I saw that there was some rain by Ocotillo off of the 8 freeway earlier this AM, 0.65 inches (according to www.iweather.net.com and eldoradoweather.com).  I am looking for camponotus fragilis and honey pot ants, do you guys think that this would be enough rain to trigger flights?  I have never been there before.  Thanks in advance.  

Edited by ariaant, July 22 2019 - 9:10 AM.

[mbullock42086]

keeping an eye on oc's mountains as monsoonal moisture surges in.  there was like 1.25 inches falling around lake arrowhead- might be a good spot for formica atm

there's a massive cell crossing around anza borrego at the mexican border.

fragillis should actually be active now with this temp spike 

the rain will have to be good enough to trigger honeypots, some are diurnal fliers, like mimicus and wheeleri. mexicanus and navajo are nocturnal fliers i believe

 

 

EDIT- Storms intensifying! 

Edited by mbullock42086, July 22 2019 - 1:21 PM.

[ariaant]

The area around josha tree and 29 palms might be even more promising, it got 1.4 inches of rain over there (so far).  I wonder if its better to go later this week as the forecast states that it might rain for the next three days (ending Wed or Thursday).  Anyone going out today or tomorrow?  

[YsTheAnt]

I'll probably be going out Tuesday night and Wednesday.

[PTAntFan]

There’s also rain forecast for big bear. Wondering if there might be some late season Camponotus afterwards.

[mbullock42086]

nice cell over 29 palms

[AntsCalifornia]

Is this enough to trigger myrmecocystus tonight and/or acromyrmex? I checked radar and it is at about 1.5 for the whole area. I only have a chance of checking tonight.

[mbullock42086]

Is this enough to trigger myrmecocystus tonight and/or acromyrmex? I checked radar and it is at about 1.5 for the whole area. I only have a chance of checking tonight.

in my experiences, if the rain is at least orange on the radar yes, it will.  

Edited by mbullock42086, July 22 2019 - 4:22 PM.

[Zeiss]

Pretty sure all those red spots would need to sit in one area for several hours before any flights would happen.

[mbullock42086]

Pretty sure all those red spots would need to sit in one area for several hours before any flights would happen.

I've seen light rainfall trigger flights.

fyi those areas have been drenched for like 2 hours so far.