16 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hi!
I've just learned about a type of fungus farming ant, Trachymyrmex, that tolerates cold weather. Does anyone have any tips on how to find wild colonies and/or alates of these species? I just want to see some in action...

 

[Martialis]

Unfortunately, the don't quite reach Connecticut. They reach the latitude of 42 degrees N and disappear any further north.

[Nathant2131]

Mm, you likely won't find them in CT unfortunately.

[VoidElecent]

In case you were unsure, Trachymyrmex don't exist in Connecticut.

 

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Northern NJ is their northern limit, and even then they're pretty sparse except in niche places. Lots of sandy soil, the right sun exposure and certain types of plants that grow in either a lawn or forest clearing, and no invasive species around.

[Bracchymyrmex]

Hi!
I've just learned about a type of fungus farming ant, Trachymyrmex, that tolerates cold weather. Does anyone have any tips on how to find wild colonies and/or alates of these species? I just want to see some in action...

 

MILTA's got a point... You probably (actually definitely) won't find them in CT. 

[Ameise]

Some references list Trachymyrmex septentrionalis as being found in Connecticut, if rarely.

[Connectimyrmex]

I read somewhere that a few were in connecticut (I really need to stop trusting these websites). Thanks for the responses!

[Bracchymyrmex]

Many of these are not native to CT....

 

Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala

[MrILoveTheAnts]

That far north I'll trust it when I see it. Climate change is pushing a few species north of their usual range as seen with Dorymyrmex bureni now found in New Jersey as of 2011. Void and Bracch did come across a Pogonomyrmex badius queen in southern PA (though not confirmed by me). Were you to find a population of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis though you would be adding pages to the book "Ants of New England" which did a fairly comprehensive survey of the area. That's not to say they didn't miss something. If there is a population of them to be that far north it might only occupy the space along a highway off ramp and nowhere else, or was paved over by development long ago.

Edited by MrILoveTheAnts, July 19 2017 - 1:43 PM.

[Connectimyrmex]

Many of these are not native to CT....

 

Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala

I can't change my old signature (from when I lived in Hawaii).

Is there a way to change it?

 

As of now, I have 11x Camponotus, 4x Temnothorax, 3x Aphaenogaster, 2x Formica, 1x Brachymyrmex, 1x Tapinoma sessile, 13x Tetramorium, and 70x termites.

Edited by Connectimyrmex, July 19 2017 - 2:05 PM.

[Connectimyrmex]

I couldn't keep my old ants, obviously.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

That far north I'll trust it when I see it. Climate change is pushing a few species north of their usual range as seen with Dorymyrmex bureni now found in New Jersey as of 2011. Void and Bracch did come across a Pogonomyrmex badius queen in southern PA (though not confirmed by me). Were you to find a population of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis though you would be adding pages to the book "Ants of New England" which did a fairly comprehensive survey of the area. That's not to say they didn't miss something. If there is a population of them to be that far north it might only occupy the space along a highway off ramp and nowhere else, or was paved over by development long ago.

 

Correction, what appears to be Pogonomyrmex badius can be found in the very southern parts of central PA. I'm not Ant Web photographer but I'd say the hairs match up pretty well. Alate queens at least. Thank you Void and Bracch for sending this to me!

 

Edited by MrILoveTheAnts, July 20 2017 - 1:20 PM.

[VoidElecent]

 

That far north I'll trust it when I see it. Climate change is pushing a few species north of their usual range as seen with Dorymyrmex bureni now found in New Jersey as of 2011. Void and Bracch did come across a Pogonomyrmex badius queen in southern PA (though not confirmed by me). Were you to find a population of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis though you would be adding pages to the book "Ants of New England" which did a fairly comprehensive survey of the area. That's not to say they didn't miss something. If there is a population of them to be that far north it might only occupy the space along a highway off ramp and nowhere else, or was paved over by development long ago.

 

Correction, what appears to be Pogonomyrmex badius can be found in the very southern parts of central PA. I'm not Ant Web photographer but I'd say the hairs match up pretty well. Alate queens at least. Thank you Void and Bracch for sending this to me!

 

 

 

You are very much welcome!

 

I don't know how legitimate this is, I found this queen in a part of PA that regularly imports soil and sand from the Southeast, and she was in very poor condition. There's a chance she traveled here with some farming supplies.

Edited by VoidElecent, July 20 2017 - 1:28 PM.

[Ameise]

 

That far north I'll trust it when I see it. Climate change is pushing a few species north of their usual range as seen with Dorymyrmex bureni now found in New Jersey as of 2011. Void and Bracch did come across a Pogonomyrmex badius queen in southern PA (though not confirmed by me). Were you to find a population of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis though you would be adding pages to the book "Ants of New England" which did a fairly comprehensive survey of the area. That's not to say they didn't miss something. If there is a population of them to be that far north it might only occupy the space along a highway off ramp and nowhere else, or was paved over by development long ago.

 

Correction, what appears to be Pogonomyrmex badius can be found in the very southern parts of central PA. I'm not Ant Web photographer but I'd say the hairs match up pretty well. Alate queens at least. Thank you Void and Bracch for sending this to me!

 

 

I wonder if it occurs anywhere in Illinois?

[Tyler_Fishman]

I've been searching for 7 years for trachymyrmex in north jersey I've never seen any, in Fl, when I lived their, they were abundant, any one know what plants their associated with.

[Bracchymyrmex]

This might help you:

there = a place

their = possession

they're = they are

 

(To answer your question, Trachymyrmex become moderately inactive in the summer so you may have some difficulty finding them.)