10 replies to this topic

[klawfran3]

I have not been able to find any queens or ants other than Argentine ants in my area (I found a pognomyrmex nest a long time ago once). Does anyone know of some good ant hunting spots? Especially this time of year, I think there are Camponotus flights yes?

I'm going on a day hike through Will Rogers Historic park this week, think I might find anything there?

Edited by klawfran3, August 16 2015 - 6:10 PM.

[William. T]

Joshua Tree seems to have some nice queens. You might find some Camponotus at Will Rogers, or the Pheidole stragglers.

[klawfran3]

Alright cool. I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled when I go.

[Foogoo]

I have not been able to find any queens or ants other than Argentine ants in my area (I found a pognomyrmex nest a long time ago once). Does anyone know of some good ant hunting spots? Especially this time of year, I think there are Camponotus flights yes?

I'm going on a day hike through Will Rogers Historic park this week, think I might find anything there?

I'm a bit farther north from  you near Pasadena, but similar suburban setting. Locally, I find mostly Pogonomyrmex and Dorymyrmex. Check local parks and dirt lots, the less populated the better. I actually caught the majority of my Pogonomyrmex queens on a dirt lot across the street. As for Camponotus, I'd like to know as well if anyone finds a local colony in the city!

[dspdrew]

I doubt you will find a whole lot in the suburbs or an urban area. If you go to an unpopulated area in the hills, mountains, or desert, you will find plenty. As far as Camponotus flights, it's pretty unlikely you will find any this time of the year, as most of them fly in early spring. The best place to find large Camponotus around here is in higher elevation mountains.

[PTAntFan]

Foo we should recon some higher elevation for next spring.  Klaw, you're welcome to join us.  Angeles Crest and Frazier Park are on our target list. 

 

One area you might check out would be Westridge Canyonback and another would be Topanga Cyn.  Those aren't too far for you. There's probably SOMETHING other than argies at Kenneth Hahn park off La Cienega, but as Drew said, not likely Camponotus. 

Edited by PTAntFan, August 18 2015 - 5:37 PM.

[klawfran3]

Oh well haha. I want to test out a claustral chamber I drilled for some wood loving Camponotus. It's just been sitting here empty!

I also need to experiment with some Myrmecocystus ones too, I have a few ideas I want to try. M. Mimicus should be on the tail end of flying this time of year I think but with college resuming soon I don't have too much of a chance to go out that far.

 

I would love to come with y'all this spring, PT. I need more excuses to go out insect hunting!

 

Let's see what I find at Will Rogers, hopefully I get something... If I don't I'll hit up Kenneth Hahn, for some odd reason I've never visited it.

Edited by klawfran3, August 18 2015 - 8:18 PM.

[Foogoo]

Foo we should recon some higher elevation for next spring.  Klaw, you're welcome to join us.  Angeles Crest and Frazier Park are on our target list. 

 

One area you might check out would be Westridge Canyonback and another would be Topanga Cyn.  Those aren't too far for you. There's probably SOMETHING other than argies at Kenneth Hahn park off La Cienega, but as Drew said, not likely Camponotus. 

Fo sho. I'm convinced there's gold up there, just a matter of finding the spot.

[Foogoo]

Here's a picture I took this morning while waiting for the bus, it's a strip of dirt that's pretty common around urban areas and usually has at least a few Pogonomyrmex and Dorymyrmex nests. It's not much, but you may still be able to catch a few queens without having to travel far, as I was able to.

 

[klawfran3]

Just got back from Will Rogers state park, I found no queens at all. And actually not really even an ant in general (save some very small kinds that looked like argentines but probably weren't.)

 

I ended up losing the trail with my friend and we wandered around in the wilderness for a few hours. We started climbing a cliff hang because we thought we saw a telephone pole on it. The look on the startled hikers faces was priceless when they saw two dirty, smelly people climb out of a canyon and yell "Do you know where we are?"

Turns out we accidentally crossed the entire park and ended up in Murphy's Ranch.

 

I'll hit up Kenneth Hahn tomorrow and see if there is something there. That is if I'm not too sore.

Edited by klawfran3, August 19 2015 - 3:40 PM.

[William. T]

There always seems to be some roadside Pogonomyrmex nests in the suburbs.