19 replies to this topic

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

What do you guys think the state in the U.S.A that has the most diversity for ants is ?

[ReignofRage]

As a list: Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, and North Carolina are the top six (in order) for having the most genera on Antweb.

Edited by ReignofRage, March 29 2024 - 3:58 PM.

[gcsnelling]

Arizona rules when it comes to ant diversity.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

I agree I just wanted to see watch you guys thought.

[Flu1d]

Arizona rules when it comes to ant diversity.

When I think of diversity, genus comes to mind. Does Arizona beat out Florida for the amount of genera in a state, or just species?

I'm interested in finding the top diverse places in the USA and visiting them!

Edited by Flu1d, March 29 2024 - 5:05 PM.

[Flu1d]

As a list: Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, and North Carolina are the top six (in order) for having the most genera on Antweb.

I assumed Florida had the top, I wasn't expecting to see North Carolina on the top 6 list, however! That is very interesting.

How do you find said list on Antweb? I'd love to do a deep dive on the different ants in those states! And also see more states in order, as well.

[ReignofRage]

There is not a list, I simply looked at the genus count for each individual state.

[Flu1d]

There is not a list, I simply looked at the genus count for each individual state.

Well I very much appreciate your contribution. It looks like I need to visit Arizona and California some day soon!

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Do it and go to the mountains you are sure to find some great ants there.

[Flu1d]

Do it and go to the mountains you are sure to find some great ants there.

I need an excuse to go to the west coast again, anyway. I used to live in Oregon and it's the best place I have ever lived.

I wasn't into ants back then, unfortunately. The next time I find myself out west I'm gonna go bananas looking at all kinds of species! I just need to pick a state to go to first, and then make plans on where I'm gonna stay at, etc.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Go to the south states Cali, Arizona,Nevada, -ect

[Flu1d]

Go to the south states Cali, Arizona,Nevada, -ect

I might move to New Mexico one day. How is NM for ants?

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

not as good as the other six but still has some good ants.

[Flu1d]

not as good as the other six but still has some good ants.

Can't be the worst state, at least it's near some really solid states

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

live near border of each state so you can see each state's own diversity while not driving very far.

[rptraut]

Just a couple of comments about this type of thread;

Please stop using other sources to provide answers to questions. I’m more interested in what you know personally, not what you’ve heard or read. I know from personal observation that Antweb is a poor source of information about ants in my area.

Why so much interest in ants of other states, when you can’t cross state lines to bring them home without a license?

There is a chat function on this forum that might be a more appropriate place to have these types of one or two line discussions.

I know from personal experience that there are ten genera of ants where I live. I can find eight of them on my own property and two of them are found nearby in forests or sandier soil. Tell me what you actually know about your own area and I’ll know your answer has some credibility. This goes for all your answers on this forum.
RPT

[Flu1d]

Just a couple of comments about this type of thread;

Please stop using other sources to provide answers to questions. I’m more interested in what you know personally, not what you’ve heard or read. I know from personal observation that Antweb is a poor source of information about ants in my area.

Why so much interest in ants of other states, when you can’t cross state lines to bring them home without a license?

There is a chat function on this forum that might be a more appropriate place to have these types of one or two line discussions.

I know from personal experience that there are ten genera of ants where I live. I can find eight of them on my own property and two of them are found nearby in forests or sandier soil. Tell me what you actually know about your own area and I’ll know your answer has some credibility. This goes for all your answers on this forum.
RPT

My brother in formicidae, we were just having a fun discussion and learning some things between us.

As far as asking why we would be interested in learning about ants outside of our area, I am here to learn about ants. We are all interested in ants. I don't feel the need, personally, to restrict my knowledge to just the ant species in my neighborhood.

If you want to know what I know about my area, I can only go off of what the locals and myself have personally discovered. I have seen at least 13 species calling my yard home. A local has discovered around 70 species on one wildlife preserve alone, not far from the city we call home. There have been just under 100 species total discovered there. I may not have needed antweb to answer that, however I still do appreciate any source of information that I can use to further expand my knowledge.

I hope you have a good day, friend! And I hope you learn something neat in this thread.. I sure have! 😊

Edited by Flu1d, March 30 2024 - 1:12 AM.

[kalimant]

Arizona rules when it comes to ant diversity.

 

Especially with regards to Pheidole.

 

FL has tons of ants too, but many are invasives, and it has relatively few Pheidole given its subtropical nature.

[The_Gaming-gate]

Arizona rules when it comes to ant diversity.

Especially with regards to Pheidole.

FL has tons of ants too, but many are invasives, and it has relatively few Pheidole given its subtropical nature.

Not really- Florida has plenty of invasives, but you’ll never see them. The only common one is S. invicta, which for the purpose of keeping is nearly identical to S. geminata (minus majors.) The Wasmannia won’t show up unless you look for them. Apparently we have Argentine ants, I haven’t seen a single worker. You can find Pheidole easily if you know where to look.

[SHmealer]

 

 

Arizona rules when it comes to ant diversity.

Especially with regards to Pheidole.

FL has tons of ants too, but many are invasives, and it has relatively few Pheidole given its subtropical nature.

Not really- Florida has plenty of invasives, but you’ll never see them. The only common one is S. invicta, which for the purpose of keeping is nearly identical to S. geminata (minus majors.) The Wasmannia won’t show up unless you look for them. Apparently we have Argentine ants, I haven’t seen a single worker. You can find Pheidole easily if you know where to look.

 

This is so wrong... Pretty much anywhere in Florida u can see atleast 5 invasive ants: Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Pheidole obscurithorax, Brachymyrmex patagonicus, Solenopsis invicta, Cyphomyrmex rimosus, And likely many more if your actively looking around. I have probably more than 15 invasive species just on my property.
Geminata differs from invicta in some regards in captivity the main one being geminata will actively collect and store seeds for later consumption.