15 replies to this topic

[JediPeaceFrog]

I know this is a serious long shot, considering the lack of amatuer myrmecologists in Montana...I would like a queen from any of these species: Tetramorium Sp. e, Camponotus Herculeanus, Camponotus Modoc, or Lasius Niger. If you have one of these queens w/ brood all the better. I am located in Ravalli Co., just south of Missoula. Thanks!

[LC3]

All of those species except Tetramorium seem to be present in Montana. Camponotus herculeanus and Camponotus modoc should be currently flying or preparing or may have already flown. Lasius niger is present in N. America but in isolated locations.

[JediPeaceFrog]

All of those species except Tetramorium seem to be present in Montana. Camponotus herculeanus and Camponotus modoc should be currently flying or preparing or may have already flown. Lasius niger is present in N. America but in isolated locations.

Yes to all of the above, with the exception of Tetramorium. I know they aren't listed anywhere as inhabiting Montana, but I think they do, it just hasn't been 'officially' recognized. Yesterday I located a L Niger colony while hobbling down by the river, neatly nested under a rock. I've kept Niger in years past, but never harvested a wild colony before. Any suggestions?
Modoc & Herculeanus are indeed flying. The reason I ask if anybody in my area has any is because I have arthritis, so it's not always easy for me to hike around queen hunting. So if anybody in Montana can help me out, that would be great.

[Mdrogun]

Just a tip, you are most likely finding Lasius neoniger, the North American version of Lasius niger.

[JediPeaceFrog]

Yes, you are correct.

[LC3]

 

All of those species except Tetramorium seem to be present in Montana. Camponotus herculeanus and Camponotus modoc should be currently flying or preparing or may have already flown. Lasius niger is present in N. America but in isolated locations.

Yes to all of the above, with the exception of Tetramorium. I know they aren't listed anywhere as inhabiting Montana, but I think they do, it just hasn't been 'officially' recognized. Yesterday I located a L Niger colony while hobbling down by the river, neatly nested under a rock. I've kept Niger in years past, but never harvested a wild colony before. Any suggestions?
Modoc & Herculeanus are indeed flying. The reason I ask if anybody in my area has any is because I have arthritis, so it's not always easy for me to hike around queen hunting. So if anybody in Montana can help me out, that would be great.

 

 

Got any pictures of said Tetramorium? Just curious.

[JediPeaceFrog]

All of those species except Tetramorium seem to be present in Montana. Camponotus herculeanus and Camponotus modoc should be currently flying or preparing or may have already flown. Lasius niger is present in N. America but in isolated locations.

Yes to all of the above, with the exception of Tetramorium. I know they aren't listed anywhere as inhabiting Montana, but I think they do, it just hasn't been 'officially' recognized. Yesterday I located a L Niger colony while hobbling down by the river, neatly nested under a rock. I've kept Niger in years past, but never harvested a wild colony before. Any suggestions?
Modoc & Herculeanus are indeed flying. The reason I ask if anybody in my area has any is because I have arthritis, so it's not always easy for me to hike around queen hunting. So if anybody in Montana can help me out, that would be great.

 
Got any pictures of said Tetramorium? Just curious.

You want a pic of Tetramorium? Well, it's pretty easy to find on the web, but here's one for you.

[LC3]

 

 

 

All of those species except Tetramorium seem to be present in Montana. Camponotus herculeanus and Camponotus modoc should be currently flying or preparing or may have already flown. Lasius niger is present in N. America but in isolated locations.

Yes to all of the above, with the exception of Tetramorium. I know they aren't listed anywhere as inhabiting Montana, but I think they do, it just hasn't been 'officially' recognized. Yesterday I located a L Niger colony while hobbling down by the river, neatly nested under a rock. I've kept Niger in years past, but never harvested a wild colony before. Any suggestions?
Modoc & Herculeanus are indeed flying. The reason I ask if anybody in my area has any is because I have arthritis, so it's not always easy for me to hike around queen hunting. So if anybody in Montana can help me out, that would be great.

 
Got any pictures of said Tetramorium? Just curious.

You want a pic of Tetramorium? Well, it's pretty easy to find on the web, but here's one for you.

 

 

No I meant do you have any pics of Tetramorium in your state, like a few mounds you found around in your area.

[JediPeaceFrog]

No, I don't have any pics. Like I said in my earlier post, I think they are here, even though they haven't been officially documented yet. But when I find the evidence, I'll make sure I'll send it right to you.

[Crystals]

Several species in your area - https://www.antweb.o...ana&images=true

That list isn't complete, so not much work in ants may have been done.

 

But you are just south of Alberta where I live, so you should have most of the species found in Alberta and more.

Tetramorium are not in our area - however we do have several species that look close at a glance, such as Myrmica and Aphaenogaster.  We have had a few people convinced they found Tetramorium and it turned out to be Aphaenogaster or Myrmica. 

 

We do have a lot of Lasius species, especially Lasius neoniger.  We also have a lot Formica and Camponotus.

 

Best of luck finding a queen or colony.

[Miles]

I've seen Tetramorium in Bozeman, MT.

[Crystals]

I've seen Tetramorium in Bozeman, MT.

That is interesting.  I did not think that they were this far west in the northern US.  I could be wrong.

 

Although I know they are not in Alberta. 

[Miles]

 

I've seen Tetramorium in Bozeman, MT.

That is interesting.  I did not think that they were this far west in the northern US.  I could be wrong.

 

Although I know they are not in Alberta. 

 

 

They are also present and common in Northern Idaho, right up to the near-border city of Sandpoint, ID, just south of British Columbia. 

Edited by Miles, May 10 2016 - 7:35 AM.

[JediPeaceFrog]

'Tetramorium is widespread in the Pacific NW'. Geographically, montana is part of the pacific NW. http://entnemdept.uf...avement_ant.htm

[JediPeaceFrog]

http://www.insectide...ed-Pavement-Ant

Another site that confirms Tetramorium does exist in Montana, Wyoming, N and S Dakotas.

[LC3]

They're also present here in Richmond and most likely Vancouver too and have been here for a while. Not sure about anywhere else in BC.