4 replies to this topic

[Leptomyrmx]

As you may know, Carebara affinis are found in Australia (where I'm from) but are really rare. They're only found in tropical parts of Far North Queensland. (For anyone not familiar with Australian geography that's the pointy bit on the top right of the continent.)

 

And that's exactly where I'm going on holiday tomorrow.

 

I've checked iNat and AntWeb and have found records about 10 minutes away from the place I'm staying at, so I'm going to see if I can find any. The chance of a nuptial flight at this time of year are slim but even seeing some workers would be cool. Luckily, I'm going back in spring, and I reckon I have an ok chance of finding a queen then.

As you can see here, he* who controls the Australian Carebara affinis controls everything. 

 

I'll keep you updated, this will be a sort of anting journal. I'll probably live stream some of the hunt on my YouTube channel Ants of Sydney

 

*or whatever gender. just easier to say.

[bmb1bee]

Good luck!

[Leptomyrmx]

Didn't find any. There was a change of plans and we didn't go to the place that had records. I did see some other cool ants though, Oecophylla smaragdina, Polyrhachis cupreata, a bunch of invasives and I found a Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) sp. queen.

[Leptomyrmx]

There is still hope! Actually, way more hope than last time.

In about 5 weeks I think I'll be going back to Cairns, and my parents said I can have a whole day for anting. I've found a place with more reliable records.

We'll be well into the nuptial season so I'll probably find at least something.

 

The other thing I wanted to say, is there are also records of Ooceraea australis on the walk with the affinis. It's not known if workers can clone themselves like O. biroi (a species found in parts of Asia) so if I find some workers, I'll catch them and hopefully make a scientific discovery. lol

 

Again I'll keep you updated.

[ANTdrew]

Good luck!