11 replies to this topic

[XZero38]

Where would be the best places to go looking for Pogonomyrmex queens?

[LC3]

I don't live in California nor do I know much about Pogonomyrmex but I would assume they would be found in abundance in the desert.

[XZero38]

I live out in colorado, but there are two species of pogonomyrmex our here. Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (western harvester ant) and Pogonomyrmex rugulosus (rough harvester ant). Just seeing if anyone has any tips on how and where to find them since their flight season is going to be starting soon.

[antsinmypants]

There's a red harvester ant colony at the Sixth Church of Christ parking lot facing St. Anne's Episcopal School (in Denver). I found a half of a dead winged-queen about 2 blocks from here several days after a rainfall. These species are larger than the ones I collected in Fresno.

 

There's another large colony several miles from the above location at the James A. Bible park (it's at the slightly windy part of the paved walking trail).

 

I understand there are many of these colonies in the open grasslands east of Denver.

[antsinmypants]

Google "hilltopping ants". For some reason, my employer is blocking me from copying and pasting this web page address. I can tell you that the only thing I encountered at the Qwest Tower building was traffic. Also, the public is not allowed to go to the roof, so you'd have to search for mated dealates at the street level with people staring at whatever you were staring at.

Oops, here come's the boss.....

Edited by antsinmypants, June 30 2016 - 3:47 PM.

[BrittonLS]

Seems most Pogonomyrmex like open prairie type environments. Open areas with low grass are where I usually find their nests.

[XZero38]

Ill have to go check around a few large fields in my area. It rained yesterday and its supposed to rain again today so tomorrow will hopefully be a good day for flights. 

[XZero38]

Went out today to check for colonies and i found 7-8 colonies of varying sizes. Does anyone know roughly what time of day Pogonomyrmex occidentalis flies?

[BrittonLS]

Went out today to check for colonies and i found 7-8 colonies of varying sizes. Does anyone know roughly what time of day Pogonomyrmex occidentalis flies?

Ok, so, Pogonomyrmex definitely starts it's flight in the heat of the day, I think I've seen them start flying usually 1-2pm, but could be +/- an hour for you. 

 

But, (and I would need someone else to confirm for me, this might just be me) both times I've seen a flight, I've watched the Pogonomyrmex fly off and was never able to find them again even though I spent 2 hours looking around after their flight. But my friend who has some around his house, said he saw some there around 4pm. The next day I went to his house around 4 and found not only new chambers from the day before but queens still walking around. So it might be beneficial to spot a flight and look again later in the day. I wonder if they take longer to do their nuptial flights. I know Solenopsis invicta seem to just immediately start falling from the sky, but maybe Pogonomyrmex like to take their time, enjoy their partners, have some romance, y'know?

[sgheaton]

When its hot?!??! I've been thinking its too hot that them guys aren't flying. Darnet.....

 

Edit --

And I thought I had P. Barbatus by me. Zero, am I wrong in thinking that?

Edited by sgheaton, July 25 2016 - 12:58 PM.

[EstuaryAnts]

Went out today to check for colonies and i found 7-8 colonies of varying sizes. Does anyone know roughly what time of day Pogonomyrmex occidentalis flies?

Ok, so, Pogonomyrmex definitely starts it's flight in the heat of the day, I think I've seen them start flying usually 1-2pm, but could be +/- an hour for you.

But, (and I would need someone else to confirm for me, this might just be me) both times I've seen a flight, I've watched the Pogonomyrmex fly off and was never able to find them again even though I spent 2 hours looking around after their flight. But my friend who has some around his house, said he saw some there around 4pm. The next day I went to his house around 4 and found not only new chambers from the day before but queens still walking around. So it might be beneficial to spot a flight and look again later in the day. I wonder if they take longer to do their nuptial flights. I know Solenopsis invicta seem to just immediately start falling from the sky, but maybe Pogonomyrmex like to take their time, enjoy their partners, have some romance, y'know?

I live in Texas too where do you usually find pogonomymrex???

[sgheaton]

A field like this - go to the brown patch or mound. I've got massive Pogonomyrmex colonies in areas where people aren't living yet like this. 

 

...

though technically I cheated and live next to a field as such that I found my Pogonomyrmex on my back porch...

...

I really do see massive Pogonomyrmex-action in areas like that though.

Edited by sgheaton, August 4 2016 - 5:02 AM.