31 replies to this topic

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Welcome to the Canadian anting thread for all of Canada’s provinces! From the tip of Yukon 

 

all the way to the bottom of Nova Scotia all Canadians are welcome!

 

 

 

Here is a thread where all the Canadian ant-keepers can report about nuptial flights, ant species that they found, weather reports and so on.

 

People who aren’t located in Canada are able to comment here and ask questions, so don’t be shy!

 

(work in progress)

Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, April 1 2025 - 8:43 AM.

[Stubyvast]

I'm Canadian, but on the west, in British Columbia. I can still update data and flights from my area if need be.

But yeah definitely true, there's not much interest around these areas in general I'd say. Hopefully we can get more folks on the thread!

[ANTdrew]

There used to be a very active queen sighting thread for Ontario.

[ANTdrew]

Here’s the link: https://www.formicul...-thread/page-23
Revive this thread. Wake up the echoes.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Here’s the link: https://www.formicul...-thread/page-23
Revive this thread. Wake up the echoes.

I guess I can, It is just that I wanted an thread for eastern Canada 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Hey guys, do you think we should rename this thread and turn it into a Canadian anting thread? I’m proposing this because of how every province has almost the exact same species, do you this that’s a good idea?

[Stubyvast]

I'm up for it! Sounds like a good idea, but we should get the consent of other Canadian ant-keepers just to confirm. I'll also check out AntDrew's link to see if we can revive it. 

Edit: Nvmd AntDrew's link was for Ontario, so I don't think I can participate.

Edited by Stubyvast, March 13 2025 - 4:53 PM.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Yeah, hopefully we can see if the other Canadians are up for it! I would like to sort of create our own little community 

[rptraut]

Hello Everyone;

 

I think a Canadian thread is a great idea and I'll be glad to participate.   I don't do much queen hunting anymore, but if I can help or answer any questions, please let me know.   Canadian ant keeping does have some specific challenges because of our climate and other factors, I'm sure it'll be helpful to be in contact with other ant keepers in a similar situation.   

RPT

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

If one or two more Canadians agree, I will make it official.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Just mentioning, I am getting weather reports that Wendsday will be 17 degrees Celsius, I definitely think that the snow will melt earlier, than last year

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

weather is not good…

 

All that I am getting over here in Montreal is sleet, rain, wind and snow. One day is 16 degrees and then next is -2, sigh, if only we can get a consistent 10+ degrees weather for at least 3 days

 

how are you other Canadians doing?

Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, April 1 2025 - 8:45 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Patience

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Patience

It’s April now, so I guess that the weather will get better soon. (The forum is very quiet today….)

[MyrmecologyMaven]

 

Patience

It’s April now, so I guess that the weather will get better soon. (The forum is very quiet today….)

 

Having more than one hobby always helps pass the time. I keep other bugs like isopods and springtails, not just ants. I also do a lot of birdwatching and nature photography. Gardening is a nice hobby because if you have as many plants as I do something is always happening. 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

So the weather is finally reaching 20°+ Celsius and I am hearing flight reports about prenolepis imparis, not just in the Ontario thread but also on other antkeeping sites, sadly Quebec does not have prenolepis imparis.

 

I just wanted to know if anyone got lucky and found any queens.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

The trees are finally blooming and the weather is finally 20° Celsius and higher, I figured I should go flipping rocks over and I ended up seeing queen ants that hibernate though winter finally returning form their deep underground shelters. I also saw a young Formica subsericea sp colony that had a queen and a bunch of brood, which is much earlier than I expected for wild Formica, but anyway. I also finally saw some Camponotus!!! I also saw multiple medium — small colonies that consisted of small brownish ants, I think they are stenamma brevicorne. I don’t think 100% right but I know that they look like stenamma brevicorne.

[Stubyvast]

Found and captured a number of Camponotus, although I think their nuptial flights are probably done now for the species I found. probably modoc or vicinus, I'd suspect. 

Also found a ton of Manica invidia around, I can usually find them wandering around on pavements and suchlike, super small queens though. They look extremely similar to an average Myrmica rubra worker on first glance, but a bit bigger and with wing scars, as well as some less noticeable features.

[Stubyvast]

I also saw some Formica a few days ago, forgot to mention! No queens yet, but workers are getting pretty active in lower-mainland BC. I turned over a couple logs and found a super physogastric queen and some workers, but didn't collect them, mainly because I don't have room, and also in order that I can protect the native species in my area. Dang T. immigrans are slowly taking over!

Anyways, I'll let you guys know if I spot any nuptials and whatnot for BC/Canada ant keepers. 

[Ants_Dakota]

I also saw some Formica a few days ago, forgot to mention! No queens yet, but workers are getting pretty active in lower-mainland BC. I turned over a couple logs and found a super physogastric queen and some workers, but didn't collect them, mainly because I don't have room, and also in order that I can protect the native species in my area. Dang T. immigrans are slowly taking over!

Anyways, I'll let you guys know if I spot any nuptials and whatnot for BC/Canada ant keepers. 

I know, their slow advance is alarming, but local species here are fighting back at least. Lasius neoniger has been putting up a huge fight and native Formica have a really strong monopoly in certain areas as well, which is great to see.