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Formica Flying Time?


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#1 Offline AntsMissouri - Posted June 21 2017 - 9:00 PM

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So Formica sp. fly from late June to early August, and that time is here so I was curious; what particular time during the day do they fly? (I've found with Tetramorium sp. E and Tapinoma sessile I can isolate this time to a two hour block and I was curious if anyone else had done the same with these genus). I realize they're most active during the day, but I wanted something a bit more specific than that. If it comes down to the particular species, I'm most interested Formica Rubicunda(this is what I've found near me).



#2 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 22 2017 - 4:59 AM

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Formica are morning fliers, although, from what I've witnessed, they release alates over a longer period of time than Tetramorium would. I only have a few records for F. rubicunda, but they seem to be situated around late July.

 

I'm raising Formica rubicunda myself, and the queen I caught last year is on her first four pupae. I remember a lot of discussion from earlier years as to whether certain species of sanguinea-group Formica are facultative or obligate raiders, but literature seems to imply that they are all facultative.


Edited by Batspiderfish, June 22 2017 - 5:04 AM.

  • Cameron C. Thomas and AntsMissouri like this

If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#3 Offline AntsMissouri - Posted June 22 2017 - 10:23 AM

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Formica are morning fliers, although, from what I've witnessed, they release alates over a longer period of time than Tetramorium would. I only have a few records for F. rubicunda, but they seem to be situated around late July.

 

I'm raising Formica rubicunda myself, and the queen I caught last year is on her first four pupae. I remember a lot of discussion from earlier years as to whether certain species of sanguinea-group Formica are facultative or obligate raiders, but literature seems to imply that they are all facultative.

 

Thanks for the feedback and interesting info! I'm hoping I ID'd them correctly, but I'm rather unexperienced. If one particularly crazy ant enthusiast were to want to watch for their morning flight, would they(not me of course ;) ) start watching at maybe 4:30 AM?



#4 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 22 2017 - 10:35 AM

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Thanks for the feedback and interesting info! I'm hoping I ID'd them correctly, but I'm rather unexperienced. If one particularly crazy ant enthusiast were to want to watch for their morning flight, would they(not me of course ;) ) start watching at maybe 4:30 AM?

 

I haven't been awake that early looking for ants, but I've seen colonies releasing alates so late as 10 AM, and I find queens into the afternoon. It may be dependent on environmental conditions, which are kind of tricky where I live, in Maine.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#5 Offline spytim - Posted July 15 2017 - 10:20 AM

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I am also very interesting in this, living in South Carolina I've never seen a Formica queen out and about and I'm out every day. :(




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