2121 replies to this topic

[randeee]

Speaking of male alates, I caught one by accident with a queen. Should I free him?

[Nathant2131]

I would.

[noebl1]

@Nathant2131 It's possible maybe the queens didn't fly today by you?  I found two more at 4:30 today bumbling around at work into a curb...  So betting you would have seen something today even if they flew earlier. 

 

In addition to the P. imparis, at work today I also saw Tetramorium and Formica ants.  At home I saw Lasius Neoniger for the first time had opened up their entrance and were actively foraging.

[Cindy]

Found two more that have dropped their wings. Dug them out of their founding chambers lol.

[ctantkeeper]

I'm currently located in CT, but I thought you would like to know that a massive Prenolepis imparis flight just took place here today!!! I would be on the lookout for queens.

[noebl1]

Looks like I got 5 dealates, and 3 still with wings.  As I've seen with Lasius and Tetramorium, wings != non-fertilized (and vice versa), so hoping they settle.  One still had the male attached when I found her, they eventually separated after 5mins and he's still alive, so not sure if he finished his duty (not sure how long the process of copulation takes.)

 

Two of the dealates I found were  in an area where I had also found a Lasius queen last year that died in a couple hours, so hopefully no pesticides.   These were interesting as within 6" of each other and thoroughly confounded by a granite curb in the parking lot and not sure how to hide.  The wind was pretty gusty and pushing them against the curb, so guessing that didn't help.

 

I'm heading to our other office tomorrow which is a bit more north west of where I was today, so hoping I see some flights there tomorrow.  It's a bit more urban, but more trees by far.

[Nathant2131]

Looks like I got 5 dealates, and 3 still with wings.  As I've seen with Lasius and Tetramorium, wings != non-fertilized (and vice versa), so hoping they settle.  One still had the male attached when I found her, they eventually separated after 5mins and he's still alive, so not sure if he finished his duty (not sure how long the process of copulation takes.)

 

Two of the dealates I found were  in an area where I had also found a Lasius queen last year that died in a couple hours, so hopefully no pesticides.   These were interesting as within 6" of each other and thoroughly confounded by a granite curb in the parking lot and not sure how to hide.  The wind was pretty gusty and pushing them against the curb, so guessing that didn't help.

 

I'm heading to our other office tomorrow which is a bit more north west of where I was today, so hoping I see some flights there tomorrow.  It's a bit more urban, but more trees by far.

So, you caught all of these is Lincoln correct? Any mating activity in Tyngsborough?

[noebl1]

So, you caught all of these is Lincoln correct? Any mating activity in Tyngsborough?

 

 

Correct, all in Lincoln today.  Only ants I saw today in Tyngsboro were Lasius neoniger; no evidence of flights here at all.  I walked around for a bit when I got home as well.  My daughter was playing outside this afternoon here and in Nashua, and she didn't see any (she's pretty clued into catching ants and better at queen spotting than I.)  

 

I was really surprised at the wind they were battling today.   It's really really flat around this office, so the winds really pick up so I think the 10-15mph steady and 25mph gusts were probably dead on.

[Nathant2131]

I hope they fly for long periods of time. I won't be home until 2 where it will be 80s,and it's supposed to get to proper flight conditions at like 10-11-12 am. I wonder if 80s is too hot for them.

Edited by Nathant2131, April 11 2017 - 2:30 AM.

[noebl1]

They were flying where I was around 79-80F, so temps may be ok.  Good luck today

[Cindy]

Was looking outside my windshield at the Starbucks drive through, and it seems they may fly again today. Saw some male alates hovering in the air so not sure if they're leftover from yesterday's flight.

[zkublin]

I was not able to find any queens yesterday closer to Boston (Somerville), so hopefully they will decide to fly today.  Is anyone on this forum closer to the city like I am?

[Cindy]

I was not able to find any queens yesterday closer to Boston (Somerville), so hopefully they will decide to fly today.  Is anyone on this forum closer to the city like I am?

You can try Boston common. There have been sightings of p imparis in Somerville, look for sprawling grassy hills near oak trees. Maybe a local park?

[zkublin]

 

I was not able to find any queens yesterday closer to Boston (Somerville), so hopefully they will decide to fly today.  Is anyone on this forum closer to the city like I am?

You can try Boston common. There have been sightings of p imparis in Somerville, look for sprawling grassy hills near oak trees. Maybe a local park?

 

Will do!  Thanks for the tips.  I always struggle to find queens other than Camponotus around the city, so any tips or advice for urban queen hunting is much appreciated.

[Cindy]

I was not able to find any queens yesterday closer to Boston (Somerville), so hopefully they will decide to fly today. Is anyone on this forum closer to the city like I am?

You can try Boston common. There have been sightings of p imparis in Somerville, look for sprawling grassy hills near oak trees. Maybe a local park?

Will do! Thanks for the tips. I always struggle to find queens other than Camponotus around the city, so any tips or advice for urban queen hunting is much appreciated.

I'll take a photo of where yesterday's nuptial flight occurred after work so you have an idea

Edited by Cindy, April 11 2017 - 8:25 AM.

[Cindy]

They're flying again. Same place

[randeee]

Just caught a queen during my break in Cambridge. Parks seem to be a good spot to look.

[zkublin]

Just caught a queen during my break in Cambridge. Parks seem to be a good spot to look.

 

 

They're flying again. Same place

 

Parks under oak treas was the pro tip!  I got 2 queens on my lunch break.  They are definitely still flying today.

[noebl1]

I just took a quick walk for a few blocks around our other office and didn't say any today.  Irony is I figured this would be the better location, yet the other office yesterday I figured nothing was my jackpot :-\

[Nathant2131]

Nothing here