20 replies to this topic

[TheMicroPlanet]

So it appears that a few native camponotus spp. are flying here in NY this month, so I just have a few questions about their flights.

 

1. What do they prefer with regards to temperature/humidity/wind speed/time of day?

 

2. Does Campnotus have any preferred "launch pad" for sending off their alates? (i.e. high on a post, straight from the ground, etc...)

 

3. Where do queens usually land afterwards?

 

For reference, here are the species flying in NY according to Antkeeping.info...

C. americanus

C. caryae

C. castaneus

C. chromaoides

C. nearcticus

C. nobaeboracensis

C. pennsylvanicus

C. subbarbarbatus

 

Thanks in advance.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Don't feel obligated to answer all the questions...

[zantezaint]

The only thing I know is by looking at the data in the U.S. with recorded nuptial flights for this website, 70-77 F seems to be the average temperature range of nuptial flights, and some going as far 87 F. I am looking at New Jersey's and Conneticut's nuptial flight recordings since those states are the closest state to New York that has data. On my side though, Cali's nuptial flight has 70+ F temperature as well, so it's safe to assume east coast and west coast have similar average temperature range of nuptial flights. Wind speed for most seems to be from calm to light wind.

 

https://antflights.com/

[TheMicroPlanet]

Thanks for the link. Looks like a good site; might be using it in the future.

[ANTdrew]

TMP, you want to be out looking the first couple days it gets up to 80 and stays in the mid 70s well into the evening. Winds should be light and humidity high. Search in areas with lots of native trees and vegetation, especially dead tree snags. You could see queens from 5:00pm on into the early evening. Good luck!

Edited by ANTdrew, April 6 2020 - 12:55 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

TMP, you want to be out looking the first couple days it gets up to 80 and stays in the mid 70s well into the evening. Winds should be light and humidity high. Search in areas with lots of native trees and vegetation, especially dead tree snags. You could see queens from 5:00pm on into the early evening. Good luck!

Thanks! There are tons of dead logs and trees in my backyard. I'll keep an eye out.

[Ants_Dakota]

Does that apply everywhere, or just over there.

[ANTdrew]

Hard to say, but there must be similarities. You all have a vastly different climate, though.

[AntsDakota]

I’ve always heard they fly at night, but here they fly during the day.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Do NY Camponotus fly during the day? That'd be good news for me if so.

[ANTdrew]

I think evening is your best bet.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I think evening is your best bet.

That's good. The only time i'd be out at night hunting for ants is if I had a blacklight (which I don't have yet...)

[Ants_Dakota]

 

I think evening is your best bet.

That's good. The only time i'd be out at night hunting for ants is if I had a blacklight (which I don't have yet...)

 

I do have one, but have never tried it yet. I do want to, though

[TennesseeAnts]

If it helps I found 41 Camponotus queens today, of four different species.

Camponotus chromaiodes (x20)
Camponotus americanus (x14)
Camponotus pennslyvanicus (x8)
Camponotus nearcticus (x1)

Conditions were:

Time and date: April 6th, 2020 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Temperature: 82 degrees Fahrenheit
Wind: N/A
Rain: 3 days prior

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 6 2020 - 5:25 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Does Camponotus prefer any platform or something to launch their alates? A colony of Lasius neoniger likes to use a wooden post in my yard to send off theirs, so I'm just wondering if I should be looking on the ground or on top of things.

[TennesseeAnts]

Double post

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 6 2020 - 5:06 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

They like to launch off of trees and rocks.

[VoidElecent]

1. In my experience, Camponotus will most likely fly when the temperature outside is above 75° F after 10:00 PM ET if it's isn't raining or too windy. On the first night of the year with these conditions, they may send out only males to test the air. I'm in PA, and there is likely some variation, but I usually start to see heightened activity after April 25 through June.
2. Camponotus are arboreal and most colonies will fly from the trees in which they reside. Considering their size, Camponotus can reach altitudes of more than 200' during flight, where the wind is much stronger, and can carry queens up to several miles away. It'll be difficult to find dealates by locating flight perches.
3. With the duration and extent of Camponotus flights, we've set up black light traps and targeted queens with many methods, and have had the most success simply going on evening and nighttime walks. There's no reason not to spend time outside and keep a vial with you at all times. You never know when you'll get lucky.

I'd like to reiterate, although Camponotus do have designated flight times as most species do, they are abundant and many have even had success collecting wandering dealates in the mornings after. Good luck, and remember to report your findings!

[ForestDragon]

I've never had much luck with catching camponotus, I don't usually attempt to catch anything in bulk, most I've caught in 1 day was 5 C. pennsylvanicus queens, 4 of which are still alive(one is owned by mad biologist) the 2 I have are doing well, one is not, no eggs no nothing, but I WANT SUBBARBATUS, and castaneus. I'm hoping to catch some c. chromaiodes as well this year

[AntsDakota]

Really? I’ve never caught more than two in a season. Fortunately, both were fertile and raised workers.