Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Best place to catch Tetramorium caespitum (pavement ants?)


  • Please log in to reply
14 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Nawor3565 - Posted June 11 2018 - 8:31 AM

Nawor3565

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 24 posts
  • LocationRochester, NY, USA

Live in upstate NY. I've been trying to catch a Tetramorium caespitum (pavement ant) queen, but so far I've only found two carpenter ant queens. I live in a pretty urban area, but not too far from a park with plenty of walking paths and trees. I'm wondering, to anyone who's caught these guys before, if they had more luck in an urban area, or a more natural one. And any other tips for where/when to catch them. Thanks!



#2 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted June 11 2018 - 8:39 AM

AnthonyP163

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 971 posts
  • LocationWaukesha, Wisconsin.

Tetramorium caespitum is in Europe, in North America we have Tetramorium immigrans.  It is said that they fly in the morning, usually between 4-7AM. This means that you will probably need two warm days in a row, to make the morning somewhat warm (or at least not cold). However, you can still find queens throughout the day and they aren't restricted to flying in the morning. On a large flight of Tetramorium immigrans, you will usually find lots of queens wandering the sidewalks during the day. 


  • rbarreto likes this


Ant Keeping & Ethology Discord - 2000+ Members and growing

Statesideants.com - order live ants legally in the US

 


#3 Offline sirjordanncurtis - Posted June 11 2018 - 8:46 AM

sirjordanncurtis

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 652 posts
  • LocationPalo Alto, California

You're going to have more luck with Tetramorium immigrans, which is Tetramorium caespitum sp. E, the American version of the Tetramorium caespitum. Those are found under any flat rocks or pavements. You could also just wait for a flight.

 

Btw, how the heck do you find Camponotus and not Tetramorium...

 

I only know them to have a short period of about 2 days for flights, after which most to all alates disappear.


Edited by sirjordanncurtis, June 11 2018 - 8:47 AM.


#4 Offline rbarreto - Posted June 11 2018 - 8:51 AM

rbarreto

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 645 posts
  • LocationOttawa, On

You're going to have more luck with Tetramorium immigrans, which is Tetramorium caespitum sp. E, the American version of the Tetramorium caespitum. Those are found under any flat rocks or pavements. You could also just wait for a flight.

 

Btw, how the heck do you find Camponotus and not Tetramorium...

 

I only know them to have a short period of about 2 days for flights, after which most to all alates disappear.

I have seen Camponotus pennsylvanicus queens every warm night for the past 2 and a half weeks.


My journal featuring most of my ants.

My other journal featuring Formica Bradleyi.

Check our my store here!


#5 Offline sirjordanncurtis - Posted June 11 2018 - 8:58 AM

sirjordanncurtis

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 652 posts
  • LocationPalo Alto, California

 

You're going to have more luck with Tetramorium immigrans, which is Tetramorium caespitum sp. E, the American version of the Tetramorium caespitum. Those are found under any flat rocks or pavements. You could also just wait for a flight.

 

Btw, how the heck do you find Camponotus and not Tetramorium...

 

I only know them to have a short period of about 2 days for flights, after which most to all alates disappear.

I have seen Camponotus pennsylvanicus queens every warm night for the past 2 and a half weeks.

 

Heck, I need a new home.



#6 Offline rbarreto - Posted June 11 2018 - 9:06 AM

rbarreto

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 645 posts
  • LocationOttawa, On

Heck, I need a new home.

 

 

This is not a good thing. Although very large, Camponotus pennsylvanicus are rather plain looking. They are so dominant that the only other Camponotus species I have found is one C. novaeboracensis. I would love a chance to keep some of the awesome species you guys have there in California. So appreciate what you got  (y).


Edited by rbarreto, June 11 2018 - 9:08 AM.

My journal featuring most of my ants.

My other journal featuring Formica Bradleyi.

Check our my store here!


#7 Offline CNewton - Posted June 11 2018 - 9:15 AM

CNewton

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 118 posts
  • LocationBatavia, NY

Tetramorium get stuck to vehicle dew. They fly in the early morning, land on cars and get stuck. You can walk down the street and see the black specs on cars.



#8 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 11 2018 - 9:28 AM

VoidElecent

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,339 posts
  • LocationPhiladelphia, PA.

Many ant keepers collect Tetramorium queens from swimming pools in the mornings after warm summer nights. I have for the past couple of years and been quite successful, although I do believe chlorine generally has a negative effect on their health.


  • noebl1 likes this

#9 Offline sirjordanncurtis - Posted June 11 2018 - 10:19 AM

sirjordanncurtis

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 652 posts
  • LocationPalo Alto, California

You can also find them on shiny cars.



#10 Offline mallonje - Posted June 11 2018 - 10:55 AM

mallonje

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 89 posts
  • LocationMassachusetts
Found mine under a yellow arc light street light after a warm humid day.

Founding:

                 1 P. Imparis queen caught 4/26/18

                 2 L. Umbratus caught 5/8/18

                 1 C. Pennsylvanicus queen caught 5/7/18 1st Eggs 5/17/18 

                 1 C. Pennsylvanicus queen caught 5/17/18 1st Eggs 5/22/18

                 1 C. Pennsylvanicus queen caught 5/31/18

                 1 T. Caespitum(?) queen caught 6/1/18


#11 Offline noebl1 - Posted June 11 2018 - 11:08 AM

noebl1

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,128 posts
  • LocationNorthern Massachusetts

Many ant keepers collect Tetramorium queens from swimming pools in the mornings after warm summer nights. I have for the past couple of years and been quite successful, although I do believe chlorine generally has a negative effect on their health.

 

I got 13 Tetramorium queens from a pool from a friend.  All 13 were fertile, and I gave 10 of them away and kept 3.  Of those 3, all died within 3 years, while the workers/brood were fine.  Unsure if related to the pool exposure of a genetic issue of that population.

 

I haven't had much luck finding mine in the early am (as tbh not a morning person), but have found them usually in the afternoon/evening looking for a place to start a founding chamber.  When we were having work done on our deck, they had some sheets of cardboard on the pavement driveway, and I'd often find them hiding under the cardboard.


  • sgheaton likes this

#12 Offline BMM - Posted June 11 2018 - 12:35 PM

BMM

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 274 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

I found most of my Tetramorium queens wandering around on the sidewalk shortly after sunrise.


  • AnthonyP163 likes this

#13 Offline WeatherAnt - Posted June 12 2018 - 7:32 PM

WeatherAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 203 posts
  • LocationWashington State

You'll be surprised how many you can find floating in a swimming pool just after sunrise. 



#14 Offline T.C. - Posted June 12 2018 - 8:28 PM

T.C.

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,059 posts

Many ant keepers collect Tetramorium queens from swimming pools in the mornings after warm summer nights. I have for the past couple of years and been quite successful, although I do believe chlorine generally has a negative effect on their health.


Chlorine levels are gonna vary from pool to pool, but I personally have never had an issue with pool caught queens.

" Whatever You Are, Be a Good One "


#15 Offline Major - Posted July 7 2018 - 7:06 PM

Major

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 588 posts
  • LocationRochester, New York
It’s called Tetramorium Immigrans. And as a fellow NY anted here’s some advice, dry looking on pavement or dirt covered areas in the afternoon. I share your experience with finding Camponotus before Tetramorium.




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users