5 replies to this topic

[CamponotusLover]

So I went outside and I was sooo glad to find the first Citronella colony hole in the ground that I have ever found. And it is october in new jersey which is where I live. Also there were drones all alongside the massive citronella hole in the ground. Like they were prepping to fly off for a nuptial flight with other queens. And today was a decently nice day, almost somewhat hot. But not that hot. But anyway I am saying this because alot of october where I live has been cold, and multiple species are hibernating. So I looked up on the internet citronella ants, and there isn;t too much information about them, so basicaly I want to ask to see if anyone else knows. Do citronella ants work and have nuptial flights during october. Because there was scouts all around the nest looking for food far and near, there were tons and TONS of drones on the floor, Also I also want to know do they build sattelite nests? Cause there was a second big hole near the other one. Like 9 inches away.. I mean it could just lead to the same nest. But there were also drones and workers in that one too. Thanks!

[Antsinmycloset]

Citronella ants (Lasius claviger and Lasius interjectus) are social parasites, and honestly, some of my favorite ants. It's perfectly normal for them to fly this late, and while I'm not certain, I think what you're considering as satellite nests are just extensions of main, sprawling colony below ground. I have nothing scientific I can back it up with, but the colonies in my area appear quite large, with entrances to be seemingly yards apart. They do use root aphids as cattle, and in my experience don't frequent the surface as often as some other species. I've read a few people claim they have proportionally larger flights than other species, perhaps because of the high risk inherent in social parasitism, but again, nothing to back that up. I strongly suspect the fact other colonies are, or are getting ready to, hibernate relates with their specific method for taking over a Lasius colony.

What I find most interesting is that they frequently don't fly, they just... muster up and wait for some unknown signal. Here's a photo I took yesterday showing this behavior. That is AT LEAST the fifth time this year that specific colony has acted like they were going to fly for most of an afternoon before packing up and sealing the colony's entrances. If anyone knows why, please share. Hopefully we have some experts in this forum, as I'm really hoping to get a colony of these little guys going some day. I think I have my work cut out for me.

Edit: I should point out that eruption was roughly four foot long, with half a dozen small, far less populated entrances to the colony opening up a couple feet away in any given direction. They do it after every rain, without fail. The side entrances vary from time to time, almost like they're being dug fresh each time? Very interesting to watch.

Edited by Antsinmycloset, October 6 2016 - 4:25 PM.

[Canadian anter]

I have seen lasius claviger fly Nov 16 and I am in Canada.don't worry parasitic citonella lasius are the last to fly

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Yeah they're a late season species. I've found gatherings of queens before under rocks before with frost on them, still alive! And if you do any amount of gardening, you'll be finding these queens wondering around well into next spring.

 

Also Lasius interjectus (which look similar but have orange queens) begin flying next spring. Sometimes though they'll nest near the foundation of a house and they'll hold their nuptial flight ... indoors.

 

Throughout the summer time though, we have a few L. interjectus look alikes that I haven't identified. Come June/July a bicolored parasitic Lasius queen starts showing up to lights at night.

[CamponotusLover]

Citronella ants (Lasius claviger and Lasius interjectus) are social parasites, and honestly, some of my favorite ants. It's perfectly normal for them to fly this late, and while I'm not certain, I think what you're considering as satellite nests are just extensions of main, sprawling colony below ground. I have nothing scientific I can back it up with, but the colonies in my area appear quite large, with entrances to be seemingly yards apart. They do use root aphids as cattle, and in my experience don't frequent the surface as often as some other species. I've read a few people claim they have proportionally larger flights than other species, perhaps because of the high risk inherent in social parasitism, but again, nothing to back that up. I strongly suspect the fact other colonies are, or are getting ready to, hibernate relates with their specific method for taking over a Lasius colony.

What I find most interesting is that they frequently don't fly, they just... muster up and wait for some unknown signal. Here's a photo I took yesterday showing this behavior. That is AT LEAST the fifth time this year that specific colony has acted like they were going to fly for most of an afternoon before packing up and sealing the colony's entrances. If anyone knows why, please share. Hopefully we have some experts in this forum, as I'm really hoping to get a colony of these little guys going some day. I think I have my work cut out for me.

Edit: I should point out that eruption was roughly four foot long, with half a dozen small, far less populated entrances to the colony opening up a couple feet away in any given direction. They do it after every rain, without fail. The side entrances vary from time to time, almost like they're being dug fresh each time? Very interesting to watch.

Yeah I acknowledge all of that other then the fact that they do fly in october. So thank you! Also I wasn't sure if it was sattelite nests, I knew there was a chance there wasn't. Thanks for clarifying!

I have seen lasius claviger fly Nov 16 and I am in Canada.don't worry parasitic citonella lasius are the last to fly

Thanks for the info!

Yeah they're a late season species. I've found gatherings of queens before under rocks before with frost on them, still alive! And if you do any amount of gardening, you'll be finding these queens wondering around well into next spring.

 

Also Lasius interjectus (which look similar but have orange queens) begin flying next spring. Sometimes though they'll nest near the foundation of a house and they'll hold their nuptial flight ... indoors.

 

Throughout the summer time though, we have a few L. interjectus look alikes that I haven't identified. Come June/July a bicolored parasitic Lasius queen starts showing up to lights at night.

Thanks for all that information!

Edited by CamponotusLover, October 7 2016 - 3:09 PM.

[Nathant2131]

Since All Lasius temporary social parasites are (mostly) subteranean, it is a good sign if a colony opened up their nest. This means they are flying soon. This also may explain why you never see them.

 

MrILoveTheAnts is right about finding them under logs and rocks. I have found many under logs in forests even when there is snow on the ground. They overwinter on the surface often, it appears.

Edited by Nathant2131, May 21 2017 - 6:38 PM.