899 replies to this topic

[RVAOsprey]

I think it’s still to variable hot/cold. I haven’t really had luck with Camponotus in early April this time of year for that reason. I think they can tell the difference between warmer weather and a one-off warm spike.
After the beginning of this week, in Richmond, we should be done with nights below 40 for the rest of the year. After that I’ll probably start poking around during the morning subsequent to a nice storm.

I feel like in years past I spent so much effort this time of year trying for a catch with little to show for it. Then in may or June I catch queens without even looking for them. One was on my dining room table lol.


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[Lillyrose]

Random girl climbed up my leg ... either flew or about to fly

Camponotus subbarbatus

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[ANTdrew]

So lucky!!!

[Lillyrose]

So lucky!!!

I almost let her go cause it seemed so unexpected and I figured she was just coming out .. but then I found a dead male on the table right near where I got her and realized there must have been a flight.

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Edited by Lillyrose, April 23 2022 - 4:32 AM.

[ANTdrew]

I think they’ll be big flights Sunday evening. Temps will be high and winds will be very light.

[RVAOsprey]

Yeah I may put some actual effort in tomorrow. Some casual dog walking and looking effort tonight was a bust.
Camponotus are my favorite of the native ants but I just don’t catch them in flight often. Always subsequent to the flight when they have made their chambers inside a log. I think it’s because I live in the city, but then again I do see Camponotus majors frequently crawling on the trees so I know there are plenty of developed colonies.


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Edited by RVAOsprey, April 23 2022 - 6:06 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Camponotus are my least favorite of the native ants, but I love finding them because they’re all my customers want. It’s all about the Benjamins.

[Lillyrose]

I just had another queen walk into my house .. and a second on the sidewalk

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[ANTdrew]

I just had another queen walk into my house .. and a second on the sidewalk

No way! I found nothing.

[RVAOsprey]

Had a good feeling about the past few nights so I went to a local park and netted 2 Camponotus Chrom. Queens in about 10 minutes of bark checking. I probably could have gotten more but I only brought two canisters and I’m conservative about damaging any active wildlife nests, so if I see any workers I’ll leave the area alone. One of the two had minor gaster damage so I don't expect too much. 

I did see some larval grub about 2-3 inches long and as thick as a sharpie as well. I’m going to have to look that one up.
Okay so apparently it’s a June beetle larva but it’s twice the size of the next biggest one id ever seen so who knows.

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Edited by RVAOsprey, April 24 2022 - 10:45 AM.

[Lillyrose]

Another one walked into the house .... starting to wonder if they like me?

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[ANTdrew]

Dang! I feel even worse…

[RVAOsprey]

Out of curiosity, do you live in a forested region? I’ve had queens come into the house before but only once.

I’m just sitting out back in my 900sqft yard watching the birds and squirrels come to the feeders and keeping and eye out as it starts to cool off. Wouldn’t be surprised if I saw one just to have a bird snatch it up lol

Edited by RVAOsprey, April 24 2022 - 2:35 PM.

[OiledOlives]

Thought it was too cold but apparently not. I got 18 nearcticus queens (saw a lot more, but they got away) and two pennsylvanicus queens. Only half of last years nearcticus catch though, disappointing.

[TennesseeAnts]

Camponotus are my least favorite of the native ants, but I love finding them because they’re all my customers want. It’s all about the Benjamins.

Very true, haha. They sell out within weeks for me. I've got probably 50 queens so far from the last few days.

[ANTdrew]

I’m hoping for flights today after the heavy rain we had yesterday followed by warm temps today. Anybody see any yet?

[drawpositive]

Don't temperatures need to break 80 F before Camponotus queens fly?  I thought the rule of thumb was to look for the first day that temps reach 80 F then they should be expected to fly (and having a nice rain prior to the 80 F temp is a plus).  Am I off?  Should I be looking sooner?

[aznphenom]

Don't temperatures need to break 80 F before Camponotus queens fly?  I thought the rule of thumb was to look for the first day that temps reach 80 F then they should be expected to fly (and having a nice rain prior to the 80 F temp is a plus).  Am I off?  Should I be looking sooner?

I know the exact answer but I am having a brain fart right now and don't have access to my antflights site or discord but Camponotus tends to fly first evening of the year where the temp is above 70F at sunset. That was true this year but we literally only had 1 night of that and it has been colder since. I can see that throwing the whole season off. Delaware is a little more north so maybe that day hasn't happened for yall yet.

[OiledOlives]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus drone and Lasius interjectus queen found.

[AntBoi3030]

It’s supposed to get into the 80s tomorrow. Should be perfect conditions for Nylanderia.