112 replies to this topic

[M_Ants]

Unfortunately their I don't think I've ever seen even a worker. They don't seem to live anywhere near me.

[NickAnter]

I'm sure they're down there, they are very cryptic. Just look around every warm, humid morning in June and July.

[ariaant]

Well I did some anting last year in San Diego or its immediate vicinity; hope my experiences can help you.

 

Last year I was able to find tons of S molesta, S xyloni, and a few rare crematogaster queens in June within 1/4 mile of my house in Tierrasante.  I used to live just west of the Mission trails regional park and at all of the smaller western entrances to the park in the warmer June days at around sunset I ve seen clouds of mating flights: to include all of the species mentioned earlier and several other species that I wasnt interested in cause they were too small.  Even in my immediate neighborhood (literally by my garage) I have found xyloni and crematogaster queens in that time frame.  I have found P rugosus colonies in Santee although I have never seen a flight there.  I found one P californicus queen across the street from the oak oasis county preserve by dumb luck I think in June or July in the late AM (this species colonies can be found pretty easily all over eastern San Diego County that isn't completely developed).   

 

However if you want the more desirable species (at least by my standards) you are going to have to drive.  I have found Camponotus Ca02 in Pine Valley center.  The city of Anza Borrego has plenty of desert species (I found my veromessor pergandei queen randomly by the dinosaur sculptures by luck in early March).  Ocotillo has plenty of veromessor pprgandei but it was a bust for me in terms of finding queens ( I went there in July after their first, mild summer storm but they didn't get enough rain, I guess. Or I just didn't look in the right places).  But I had a very successful trip to 29 palms when they had their first large summer rains: I still have 4 honey pot, a phediole, and 2 P rugosus colonies from that trip.  Although 29 palms is a longer drive than Ocotillo for me the large amount of rain (their first rain) that 29 palms received made finding queens a high probability event, which made it worth the drive.

 

Hope this helps  

[M_Ants]

Thankyou so much! I was hoping to find someone from around here with advice.

[zantezaint]

Found a few queens pop out of holes on a beach in San Diego county. I was surprised seeing them there, with the ocean only about 30 feet away.

[M_Ants]

Where?

[Solenoqueen]

Where?

[NickAnter]

Well, I'm still waiting for the first molesta flight of the year. Should be pretty soon! And sadly no P. navigans for the day. I thought they might have flow this morning but it appears as though they didn't.

[M_Ants]

Loads of Brachymyrmex last night. Nothing else though.

[Solenoqueen]

Anyone here have any luck with finding rare species like Pseudomyrmex or Stigmatomma? True rarities, but my hope in San Diego is gradually increasing

[M_Ants]

Nope my hope is gradually decreasing. 

[RationalRo]

Anyone see any Pogonomyrmex spp. flying? I have not been able to go out since I have many tests and assignments . Last two days were hot which are one sign of flights (not a strong indicator by any means though).

[NickAnter]

I would get my hopes up for local Pogonomyrmex around June. I personally only found one last year in July.

[zantezaint]

Black's Beach, La Jolla. They popped out of the holes. It was daytime. It's a nude beach so um be advised!

[M_Ants]

Never mind

[ariaant]

Just found a C. Vicinus in Pine valley, 1/2 mile down the pine valley trail head in the early AM.  However I found only that one straggler during a 2 hour hike. Pine valley has had a bunch of hot days in a row, i think i just got lucky and found a lone straggler trying to find a nesting site.  I bet most of the major flights have already taken place there.

[NickAnter]

Well, I am kind of sending a more inexperienced me over to Julian this weekend. My friend is able to go camping there, and he is going to try to find some queens. And he is going to send them to me if he finds any.

[toan]

It has been slightly cool and cloudy. I'm going to try some black lighting but not too hopeful. Do you black light at dawn or dusk?

[M_Ants]

Its raining now where I'm at.

[RationalRo]

Pogonomyrmex c. flying up north (LA, Riverside, etc.). Anyone spot anything down here?