7 replies to this topic

[Andrewslatter]

I would like to propose an expedition idea. I as some of u also may have the pheidole species as a "white whale" to acquire for 2020. A little bird has hinted at Milton Freewater,Or is the place to be for pheidole nuptial flight. Between the nuptial flight chart and posts I figure between May and June should be the primetime for nuptial flight. Anybody want to join let me know. As the time gets closer I'll work out the details of the expedition. Also if anyone has anyone tips, thoughts, or ideas on pheidole queen catching please post. Any information would be most appreciated. It's gonna be an Antventure!!!

Edited by Andrewslatter, December 27 2019 - 3:02 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

This would apply to all queens, but this is a good technique i've heard for catching them: When you know when and where there is a nuptial flight, make a pile of damp soil on the ground and put stone slabs/wood planks on top. The dampness combined with darkness tends to attract queens who are looking for a place to make claustral chambers. The days after a flight, check under the slabs/planks for queens (you may end up with other creepy-crawlies as well). This is kind of a long-term catching technique, but it seems to work.

 

Here's a video from Ant Invasion. There are other vids out there on this technique if you keep looking.

https://www.youtube....satBIZ7k&t=280s

[ponerinecat]

How about this. You take a white sheet. You put a light on it. You watch the queens lock in. Works every time, and youll get queens other than pheidole. I found 2-3 Pheidole queens here for 4 years, then I blacklighted at the end of the season and got 10-20 queens, most of them fertile. Doesnt even need to be a blacklight, I used a heat lamp.

[Mdrogun]

How about this. You take a white sheet. You put a light on it. You watch the queens lock in. Works every time, and youll get queens other than pheidole. I found 2-3 Pheidole queens here for 4 years, then I blacklighted at the end of the season and got 10-20 queens, most of them fertile. Doesnt even need to be a blacklight, I used a heat lamp.

Also, just so everyone's aware, the higher the wattage the more attractive your sheet will be to insects.

[Mdrogun]

I would like to propose an expedition idea. I as some of u also may have the pheidole species as a "white whale" to acquire for 2020. A little bird has hinted at Milton Freewater,Or is the place to be for pheidole nuptial flight. Between the nuptial flight chart and posts I figure between May and June should be the primetime for nuptial flight. Anybody want to join let me know. As the time gets closer I'll work out the details of the expedition. Also if anyone has anyone tips, thoughts, or ideas on pheidole queen catching please post. Any information would be most appreciated. It's gonna be an Antventure!!!  

 

If I am in the area, I'll happily join

 

 

How about this. You take a white sheet. You put a light on it. You watch the queens lock in. Works every time, and youll get queens other than pheidole. I found 2-3 Pheidole queens here for 4 years, then I blacklighted at the end of the season and got 10-20 queens, most of them fertile. Doesnt even need to be a blacklight, I used a heat lamp.

Also, just so everyone's aware, the higher the wattage the more attractive your sheet will be to insects.

[ANTdrew]

Godspeed to you, Ahab Jr! Now that I’ve found non-parasitic Lasius, Pheidole is also my new white whale.

[camponotuskeeper]

this sounds fun and interesting but my parents would never allow me to go at all, they dislike me keeping ants. so i got a fish tank but am still schemeing on how to keep ants

[Manitobant]

Also be sure to use a mercury vapor bulb for the best results.