8 replies to this topic

[fortysixandtwo]

Alright folks, warm weather is finally here. Working outside today I saw a lot of ant activity. Keeping my eyes open for Camponotus alates myself but will be sure to report anything else I find. I will be spending a lot of time outside as I work in my bee garden this year so hope to have some good catches.

 

Post up your mating swarm observations, queen catches, and any other ant finds.

 

Please provide location, elevation, weather, time of day, and any other useful information others might find helpful in finding their own ants (mostly important for mating activity, but the more data the better!).

 

I am located in Nevada City, CA. Sierra Nevada, elevation ~3200 ft.

Edited by fortysixandtwo, April 29 2017 - 3:03 PM.

[nurbs]

C. modoc should be flying anytime now.

[fortysixandtwo]

C. modoc should be flying anytime now.

 

That they should! I was looking all day and saw plenty of workers out and about but didn't see any alates yet. 

[fortysixandtwo]

Just caught my first carpenter queen. Looks like a Camponotus modoc?

 

Caught her @ 2:30 pm, full sun, about 82 F. ~3200 elevation. Outside of Nevada City, CA

 

 

[Jelly]

Right on! Congratulations!

 

Also, TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SoySauce]

Uh oh...road trip time. Congrats!

[fortysixandtwo]

Caught what I believe is a C vicinus queen in front of the dentist office in Grass Valley, CA yesterday. I'll get pictures later

[fortysixandtwo]

Same basic elevation and location, early morning catch.

So I caught these two in the last couple days. I believe the first one is a Camponotus vicinus.

 

 

Second one I am not so sure of. It is about half the size of your average Camponotus. Any ideas on the genus at least?

 

Edited by fortysixandtwo, May 4 2017 - 8:59 PM.

[nurbs]

How many mm is the second one? It looks like a smaller C. vicinus at first glance. The queens vary a lot in size and coloration. Caught a few myself last night near Oakhurst, just before the entrance to Yosemite.