9 replies to this topic

[CNewton]

Just stepped out to check conditions. Here in western New York, summer has been cold and rainy. This is my first year anting, and I've only stumbled on ants by chance. Finally, I get to see a flight in action, and it's pretty amazing. I stepped out onto the lawn at work and could see insects lifting into the air. I wasn't sure it was ants, until I looked down. piles and piles of ants, mounding up and covering the grass. What a sight! 10 more minutes of "work" and I get to head home, stopping at a park on the way. I've already informed my, exceedingly patient fiancé, that today and tomorrow were going to be dedicated to anting. looks like I might only need 20 minutes! 

[CNewton]

What a night! I think I saw at least 5 species. 2 Lasius plus a parasite, Solonopsis molesta, and a Myrmica species. I filled all my remaining test tubes! Yesterday totally made up for the entire summer!

[Skwiggledork]

Do you know if they would be flying in eastern NY around this time?

[Flame.Hyped]

Hey I'm from ny too, they're flying on Long Island rn and have been for a few days. I caught 9 queens.

[Skwiggledork]

I went out hunting yesterday and today. I am new to looking at any, so I caught 6 yesterday that I thought were good. only 4 of them were queens and all crematogaster. Today I only caught one I think is a queen and it looks like a crematogaster as well...I think.

[JJlikesants837363939]

post photos of the queens so people can identify them for you

[Skwiggledork]

I posted them to a facebook ID group, but I could post them here too if you really want.

[Connectimyrmex]

Crematogaster is actually rarer than Lasius at this time of year! I wish I was you!

[FeedTheAnts]

Crematogaster is actually rarer than Lasius at this time of year! I wish I was you!

Really, they seem to be all I'm catching right now

To bad it doesn't seem like they are wanting to lay any eggs before hibernation though

[noebl1]

I've never seen Crematogaster alates alive here before, and caught a bunch here this season.  I saw more Myrmica last year (did catch a few this year), but also caught a couple Aphaenogaster (which I also missed last year.)  Lasius flew in huge numbers here on 9/5 where I found over two dozen non-parasitic Lasius, and there were tons more I didn't keep.  Last year we had a drought (unusual for here), but had a pretty wet summer this year, so wondering if that helped the flights this Fall.

 

There have been a couple more Lasius flights (9/11 another big one), but were primarily parasitic Lasius.

Edited by noebl1, September 17 2017 - 5:43 PM.