26 replies to this topic

[Shifty189]

Hi everyone. its my first year hunting for queens, so i don't want to miss any flights. Has anyone in south Florida seen any queens flying around?

[T.C.]

Hi everyone. its my first year hunting for queens, so i don't want to miss any flights. Has anyone in south Florida seen any queens flying around?

I'm heading down to Florida next week. Was just asking a fellow antkeeper what's flying down there as he lives in Florida.

 

Here's the response.

 

[Shifty189]

Thanks for the reply. I guess it’s time to keep a few bottles with me at all times.

[T.C.]

Thanks for the reply. I guess it’s time to keep a few bottles with me at all times.

 

What part of the state are you in? If i find any queens I could give them to you before I leave. Kind of a long shot though since I won't be looking.

[Shifty189]

I live in Martin county, east coast about middle of the state.

If you found any I would happily accept them. Where about are you visiting?

[T.C.]

Orlando, quite a drive.

[Shifty189]

Yea, about 4 hours for me to drive there. Thanks for offering, but I think I would pass anyway

[123LordOfAnts123]

There’s not much flying right now, but many species may have alates being reared. Many exotics such as Brachymyrmex and Solenopsis fly whenever warm weather permits. Several species of native Nylanderia - arenivaga, phantasma, etc. - are in the middle of nuptials but may wrap up soon. Early flying Camponotus (discolor, decipiens, socius) will pick up April-May. In Florida, flights typically begin in appreciable numbers starting mid-May.

I’m a little North of Orlando and can ship within the state, though pickups are often better for the ants’ sake.

Edited by 123LordOfAnts123, March 30 2018 - 10:04 AM.

[Shifty189]

Thanks lord of ants. I'm keeping my eyes open, but if I don't find any queens I may be asking for more details about shipping a queen a few counties south.

[islandants]

I'm in Orlando and haven't seen any yet. I'd also be willing to take over smaller starter colonies if anyone has one or possibly buying a small one. Otherwise please message me if you spot a flight in the central Fla area.

[T.C.]

I'm in Orlando and haven't seen any yet. I'd also be willing to take over smaller starter colonies if anyone has one or possibly buying a small one. Otherwise please message me if you spot a flight in the central Fla area.

Are you just visiting Orlando?

[islandants]

I recently moved back to orlando after the hurricanes. I had to leave my colonies from the usvi with friends...

[Shifty189]

I still haven't seen much aside from Fire ants, But i'm hopeful that i'll find something soon with all the rain we have been getting. Today is the first day it is supposed to be very hot and sunny, so lets keep our fingers crossed.

 

On a side note, any advice on finding carpenter ant queens? i would rather not rip apart trees and logs, it seams cruel to me.

[Shifty189]

turns out that Dorymyrmex Bureni is flying now. I just caught 4 of them

[islandants]

I found two queens in my neighborhood pool a two days ago. Will post pics later today.

[Shifty189]

Please do, I’m very interested to know when queens are flying in Florida

[Omni]

I'm a resident of Orlando, I've been finding lots of S. invicta (bleh), a whole lot of Brachymyrmex sp, and a I've been spotting C. floridanus quite often. If you're near Orlando, I'd recommend going to the Econ River WIlderness Area early to find some queens. Either that or if you're on the west side and willing to make the drive, Wakiva Springs is a great place to walk around. Just posting to see if you guys are still looking! 

 

Oh, also I found a Pheidole sp. queen recently, so look out for P. floridanus and the other common florida Pheidole.

[Shifty189]

You have seen C. floridanus? I haven’t seen a single one, and that’s the species I have been looking for. Does that mean I have missed the flight in my area?

[Omni]

Probably not, they fly rather sporadically in my experience. I caught one last year midday (1pm-ish) and I caught another this year at around 11pm. C. floridanus is nocturnal, so it helps to look near street lamps and lights that have been left on at night, as they'll be attracted to that. That's how I found the one I have right now, the other died   . They have a pretty large nuptial flight time period. They're just starting to fly, and the bulk will be out in late May - early June. Check pools as well, lots fall in. If they look drowned leave them out in the sun for a few minutes and they may start moving again, but most times they're dead.

 

Hope this helps!

[123LordOfAnts123]

Probably not, they fly rather sporadically in my experience. I caught one last year midday (1pm-ish) and I caught another this year at around 11pm. C. floridanus is nocturnal, so it helps to look near street lamps and lights that have been left on at night, as they'll be attracted to that. That's how I found the one I have right now, the other died   . They have a pretty large nuptial flight time period. They're just starting to fly, and the bulk will be out in late May - early June. Check pools as well, lots fall in. If they look drowned leave them out in the sun for a few minutes and they may start moving again, but most times they're dead.
 
Hope this helps!

Any pictures? Camponotus floridanus still have alate cocoons and I’m in the same area.

Camponotus castaneus is currently flying as was as Camponotus tortuganus.