460 replies to this topic

[Penguin]

My first C. novaeboracensis queen just got her first worker!   The 2nd queen has several small larvae and one big larvae, since she didn't lay for about a month after the 1st, I think that's good progress.   All of my P. imparis colonies have workers and the 2 queen one has had them for 3 weeks and they haven't killed eachother, I hope they don't kill eachother but its always a possibility. 

 

Edit: Caught them on the 25th of May so about 2 months to go from egg to worker since the 1st queen laid within the first week of captivity.

Edited by Penguin, July 20 2018 - 1:19 PM.

[Canadian anter]

Crematogaster fly in August and September.

[LearningAntz]

Wow is it difficult to start colonies with Lasius subumbratus. I’m left with two colonies only. Anyway found some Formica of the fusca-group today. I assume it’d be similar for Ontario and queens can be found today.

[rbarreto]

Witnessed a Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony moving nests yesterday. I watched for a little bit and then came back periodically to check on them, they did not stop moving for over an hour! The colony must have had over 70 000 members. I even managed to see the queen at one point.

[Nare]

I saw a Formica queen mating today, I suspect there will be more flights tommorow. In Toronto btw.

[Lazarus]

OK technically not Ontario but I caught another queen visiting Montreal last weekend:

http://www.formicult...018/#entry98273

 

That makes 3 queens I've found while visiting that city. Will be in Toronto this coming weekend so  ...  

[Lazarus]

Found another this evening of what I suspect is the same Formica earlier in thread.

 

Created a new ID request just in case there is something different I'm not seeing:

http://www.formicult...a-15-july-2018/

[Penguin]

I found a beetle under a smaller rock in my backyard and then caught and released it after these photos. I don't need an ID as I don't really care what it is I just thought it was interesting like the wasp nest last time I posted images. It's about 5 cm.

Edited by Penguin, July 28 2018 - 4:13 PM.

[rbarreto]

Anyone know any good/reliable ant keeping companies in Canada? I ordered some things from Tarheelants but the import tax punched a hole right through my wallet. I'm specifically looking for larger formicaria.

[Nare]

Anyone know any good/reliable ant keeping companies in Canada? I ordered some things from Tarheelants but the import tax punched a hole right through my wallet. I'm specifically looking for larger formicaria.

Frankly, you aren't going to find anything cheap. I'd say antscanada, because it's a Canadian company, but they ship from America, and all of their formicaria are pretty pricey. You can find some nice formicaria internationally, but unfortunately, I don't think there's a way around that import tax.

[Lazarus]

Ditto what Nare said about AntsCanada. I reluctantly ordered a hybrid nest as a Christmas gift for my son last year. Having to deal with the exchange rate was bad enough but I was shocked at how exorbitant their shipping rates were, but went for it anyway. To make matters worse I was then charged duties when I picked it up at the post office.

 

I've been building a few of my own and learning a few things along the way. While it is time consuming, I do find it fun. Lots of videos of course but I modify directions and plans to suit my tastes and needs.

I plan on making another this long weekend.

[rbarreto]

 

Anyone know any good/reliable ant keeping companies in Canada? I ordered some things from Tarheelants but the import tax punched a hole right through my wallet. I'm specifically looking for larger formicaria.

Frankly, you aren't going to find anything cheap. I'd say antscanada, because it's a Canadian company, but they ship from America, and all of their formicaria are pretty pricey. You can find some nice formicaria internationally, but unfortunately, I don't think there's a way around that import tax.

 

 

I'm trying to avoid importing. There have to be some Canadian companies that sell formicaria.

 

I've been building a few of my own and learning a few things along the way. While it is time consuming, I do find it fun. Lots of videos of course but I modify directions and plans to suit my tastes and needs.

I plan on making another this long weekend.

 

I would love to see pictures!

[rbarreto]

ALSO!!! I found a dead Crematogaster sp. alate and Lasius interjectus are going to fly/have flown today!!!

Edited by rbarreto, August 2 2018 - 11:37 AM.

[AntsBC]

Anyone know any good/reliable ant keeping companies in Canada? I ordered some things from Tarheelants but the import tax punched a hole right through my wallet. I'm specifically looking for larger formicaria.

 

I know a guy that has recently started a ant keeping retail business. He is growing fast and has pretty good prices. Here's his profile on formiculture and his website if you are interested.

[Penguin]

Smaller, black, likely Crematogaster sp flight today when I was in Richmond Hill

[Lazarus]

Have you checked out AntNational? Canadian and have a decent presence of Facebook.  Never bought any of the stuff so I can't vouch personally.:

https://www.antsnational.com/

 

You can see some of my creations in my Gallery:

http://www.formicult...r/2335-lazarus/

 

I knew there would be flights today due to the recent rain followed by this hot weather. Went out at lunch and found another Formica (like those both you and I have found the last few weeks and posted before. Still no 100% consensus on what they are...). When I came home from work I took another LONG walk but no luck. A crematogaster would be awesome.

Edited by Lazarus, August 3 2018 - 3:48 AM.

[rbarreto]

So Crematogaster is one of my most wanted species, today I managed to find another alate. This one was actually alive, but her gaster had been ripped right off.......... This species is just teasing me .

[Kojeware]

I was in Sudbury the last few days, and my girlfriend and I managed to stumble across a huge crematogaster flight. I probably ended up catching near 30 dealates

[Kojeware]

Wow, Sudbury seems to be the place to be today! Crematogaster flight this morning, followed by a lasius fly this evening!

[Lazarus]

After all the rain the other night coming right off a heatwave I suspect that there were many flights today. But I was just to busy and could not even find the time for a short walk to hunt. Hopefully tomorrow.