2121 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

I found the Tapinoma Sessile two days ago. I didn't keep her.

Also, I mean keep an eye out for termites in your yards.

Update: found an Aphaenogaster colony! Caught approx. 1/7th of the colony, including queen. catching the rest tomorrow.

[Nathant2131]

I'm not sure what the swarming materialized into... left the swarming colony shortly after the observation. Could have been anything from a tease to a massive flight, lol

[zkublin]

I wonder what is affecting the flights this season.  At least from what I have seen there have not been many massive statewide fights, they all seem to be fairly localized and sporadic compared to last year.

[noebl1]

I wonder what is affecting the flights this season.  At least from what I have seen there have not been many massive statewide fights, they all seem to be fairly localized and sporadic compared to last year.

 

 

My hypothesis is that the drought messed them up.  I found a C. americanus delate in October on the ground... and other's found different Camponotus at that time as well due to being ejected with low resources.  This may be a tough season for anting for some species.  Camponotus flights this year were just a fraction of what I saw in previous years. This was my first season with P. imparis so nothing to compare too.  I'm still waiting for Temnothorax.

[Nathant2131]

 

I wonder what is affecting the flights this season.  At least from what I have seen there have not been many massive statewide fights, they all seem to be fairly localized and sporadic compared to last year.

 

 

My hypothesis is that the drought messed them up.  I found a C. americanus delate in October on the ground... and other's found different Camponotus at that time as well due to being ejected with low resources.  This may be a tough season for anting for some species.  Camponotus flights this year were just a fraction of what I saw in previous years. This was my first season with P. imparis so nothing to compare too.  I'm still waiting for Temnothorax.

 

I wonder if the species that don't produce alates before winter to wait for flights the next year will also fly strangly, like Lasius. Because I would assume that if it was the drought behind this, it was the alate production that was getting screwed up.

[noebl1]

Just found a random Camponotus alate at home.

[Nathant2131]

Just found a random Camponotus alate at home.

She's a little late to the party 

[noebl1]

She's a little late to the party 

 

hahah yup.  I grabbed her in case it was potentially a Formica sp, the realized it was not and let her go.  Only one I saw as well.

[Aquaexploder]

Today I found a Tetramorium drone that was being pulled out of a nest by a worker. It was still pale so I assume it just recently eclosed. The weirdest part is that his wings were half missing and the little bit that he still had was all shriveled up.

[akaant]

 

I wonder what is affecting the flights this season.  At least from what I have seen there have not been many massive statewide fights, they all seem to be fairly localized and sporadic compared to last year.

 

 

My hypothesis is that the drought messed them up.  I found a C. americanus delate in October on the ground... and other's found different Camponotus at that time as well due to being ejected with low resources.  This may be a tough season for anting for some species.  Camponotus flights this year were just a fraction of what I saw in previous years. This was my first season with P. imparis so nothing to compare too.  I'm still waiting for Temnothorax.

 

I agree this year was a disaster for species who over wintered alates/brood due to the drought. This year looks promising due to abundant rains and large gypsy moth infestation this part of the state.

Every anting trip I seen many species munching on dead caterpillars. whole mountains where stripped clean of leaves, and it looks like early spring. This might help them rebound this year.

[Aquaexploder]

What time do Temnothorax like to fly at?

[noebl1]

What time do Temnothorax like to fly at?

 

I found last year I'd see them 9-11pm at night, and very much attracted to lights.  If I wore a white shirt and was near a light, I'd catch them pretty easily off my shirt, so light trapping should work really well for them.  One night they really peaked, and super frustrating trying to find other things as they were pretty obnoxious with the flash light.

[Connectimyrmex]

Found a male tetramorium alate this morning.

[Aquaexploder]

I keep finding Camponotus drones! They are EVERYWHERE!

[Aquaexploder]

Tetramorium flew again today! I found my first living queen of this species!

Edited by Aquaexploder, July 1 2017 - 6:39 AM.

[noebl1]

This weather is brutal...  with the heat and humidity today, prime day for Temnothorax, but raining   If they fly later tonight, I'll be asleep and miss it unfortunately.

[Nathant2131]

I was just outside for a minute or two with a flashlight- extremely humid but nothing I could see (not like 2 minutes is enough though)

[rdurham02]

 

My first Tetra. queen! Unfortunately, she is missing an antennae  Found her along the sidewalk this morning at about 8:30 AM

 

 

 

Edited by rdurham02, July 2 2017 - 5:38 AM.

[noebl1]

Looks like Tetramorium flew here today too; found a fresh dead queen alate on the steps.

[ctantkeeper]

Massive Tetramorium flight in CT. Just found approx. 200 alates (mostly queens) in a nearby pool.

Edited by ctantkeeper, July 2 2017 - 8:13 AM.