5 replies to this topic

[Mercutia]

Witnessed this little war spectacle when I took Scotty for a walk in the evening. The Tets are out and out for blood!

 

 

I walked by the Prenolepsis imparis colony I saw earlier on during this month but no signs of activity there. There is coming rainfall tomorrow though so I'm hoping to go out friday and see if they are flying. I really need to set up a queen trap instead of face hunting everything. Also, anyone know if any Camponotus are flying this month for southern Ontario? Still really wanting a Camponotus queen to observe.

[Crystals]

Camponotus in southern Ontario should start flying anytime and smaller flights might be seen until the end of May or mid-June.

 

I expect to see Camponotus queens in my location in a couple of weeks (Alberta is still getting snow...).

[Mercutia]

I was expecting to see more ant life today. Went around and only Tetramoriums were out. Usually there is the odd Formica worker scampering around but nothing. Went out because it just rained. I really want a Camponotus queen this year but I really don't feel that comfortable tearing up old logs to find them. Don't want to disrupt any other creatures living there just for my Camponotus queen needs. xD But man, no flights that I've seen this season. 

[Tyrrea]

PLease explain this "queen trap" for me, i havent seen anything about that before??

[dspdrew]

She's probably talking about a black light trap like these (http://www.bioquip.c...t.asp?pid=2851A), although most likely a more simple setup consisting of just a black light and a white sheet. Flying alates are attracted to the UV light.

[Mercutia]

There a different traps including water traps, funnel traps, and light traps used to attract and trap queens during flights.

Water traps are setting out a large body of water because queens tend to be attracted to water and fall in and you can just pluck them out and put them in test tubes. Usually if you have a pool or pond in your backyard you can check them regularly for queens that might have possibly fallen in.

Funnel traps consist of a a funnel leading into a jar where queens will fall in and can't climb out. Usually set near a light source at night as light attracts the flying queens.

Light traps are basically just putting out a black light bulb at night. I've seen this attract gigantic swarms of ant alates at night.

Some of these traps are susceptible to attracting other creatures so be forewarned.