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!


  • Please log in to reply
31 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 11 2018 - 4:12 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 11 3 AM to 6 AM

Temperature: 74 F

Humidity: +90%

Wind: Calm

 

Pseudomyrmex sp. (Most likely Pseudomyrmex ejectus)

Massive nuptial flight

July 11 3 AM to 6 AM

 

 

Aphaenogaster sp.

Single alate caught

July 11 4 AM

 
 
Formica pallidefulva (Most likely)
Few alates (both male and female) observed, one female caught
July 11 3 AM to 6 AM

 

 

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

About 10~20 alates (only female and no male) observed-most likely same ones that's been staying there for the past week

July 11 3 AM to 6 AM


Edited by Lamarr, July 13 2018 - 12:53 AM.


#2 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 12 2018 - 2:13 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 12 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Temperature: 90 F

Humidity: 62%

Wind: Calm

 

Rained the day prior and the light shower while anting

 

Solenopsis invicta (Most likely)

6 dealates caught and few males either dead or still flying around observed, mostly likely nuptial flight from this morning.

July 12 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

 

Zv9gjih.jpg

z141F3V.jpg

DxpGlSh.jpg

 

Mysterious ant (Possibily Nylanderia arenivaga)

1 alate of small ant (about 3 mm) landed on my hand and was collected.

July 12 2:00 PM

 

q9zp5eG.jpgzWwITBq.jpg

Z1TY4Q5.jpgUUkGDjN.jpg

 

Size difference between this ant and Solenopsis invicta

 

6tzWHgZ.jpg


Edited by Lamarr, July 19 2018 - 5:52 PM.


#3 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 13 2018 - 12:47 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 12 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Temperature: ~80 F

Humidity: +80%

Wind: Calm

 

Massive nuptial flight of multiple species.

 

Pheidole sp. (around 4~5 mm)

Massive nuptial flight of this species has occurred. Around 6 dealates collected under the lights at tennis court.

 

(Probably) Pheidole sp. (around 2~3 mm)

Some dealates were seen under the light at tennis court. Was not collected.

 

Unknown sp. (around 1.5 mm to 2 mm and black. Looked similar to Lasius spp.)

Nuptial flight of this species has occurred. Observed under the lights at tennis court. Was not collected.

 

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Female alates have been observed at the same place as before, under the light by the building.

 

Solenopsis invicta

1 female dealate collected and more observed under the light at tennis court. Most likely from the nuptial flight earlier.

 

Time spent: July 13 1:30 AM to 2:30 AM

Temperature: ~75 F

Humidity: +90%

Wind: Calm

 

Some of the dealates still running around but was not collected. Otherwise nothing new was observed.


Edited by Lamarr, July 13 2018 - 12:52 AM.


#4 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 13 2018 - 11:06 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 14 12:30 AM to 2:00 AM

Temperature: ~75 F

Humidity: +95%

Wind: Calm

 

Everything was still relatively wet due to rain earlier in the day.

 

No alates or dealates were observed.



#5 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 14 2018 - 10:27 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 15 12:30 AM to 1:10 AM

Temperature: ~75 F

Humidity: +99%

Wind: Calm

 

Everything was still relatively wet due to rain earlier in the day. (Deja Vu?)

 

One Pheidole sp. (around 4~5 mm) alate was observed but not collected.



#6 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 15 2018 - 7:19 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 15 9:30 AM to 10:10 AM

Temperature: 80 F

Humidity: +84%

Wind: 2 mph

 

Nothing special was observed.



#7 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 15 2018 - 6:52 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Light rain for a few hours now. Hopefully, something will fly soon.



#8 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 16 2018 - 9:22 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Raining again right now.



#9 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 16 2018 - 9:29 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama


Edited by Lamarr, July 17 2018 - 1:14 PM.


#10 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 17 2018 - 12:16 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

Time spent: July 17 9:20 AM to 10:00 AM

Temperature: ~80 F

Humidity: ~80%

Wind: 3 mph

 

Nothing important observed, everything was still wet.

Got some pieces of wood barks to be used for the test tube flooring.

 

iaLtwUA.jpg

 

Time spent: July 17 1:00 PM to 2:20 PM

85°
PARTLY CLOUDY
feels like 94°
H 86° / L 72°
UV Index 9 of 10
Severe Storms Firing Up in Northeast
Wind WSW 6 mph
Humidity 71%
Dew Point 75°
Pressure 29.96 in
Visibility 9.0 mi
 
Pretty hot, nothing important was observed.
 
Time spent: July 17 5:08 PM to 6:10 PM
86°
PARTLY CLOUDY
feels like 96°
H -- L 72°
UV Index 1 of 10
Big Changes Across the United States
Wind W 5 mph
Humidity 70%
Dew Point 75°
Pressure 29.92 in 
Visibility 10.0 mi

 

Still really hot. Nothing important observed again. Although the forecast didn't say anything raining I did feel and see little rain droplets when leaving.

Hopefully, I'll see something fly tonight.

 

Time spent: July 17 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM

 

Didn't see anything flying. Went home because I'm exhausted.


Edited by Lamarr, July 17 2018 - 6:38 PM.


#11 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 19 2018 - 12:51 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 18
Really hot and humid until around 3 PM, then it cooled down due to shower that lasted an hour or so.

It got hot and humid again throughout the day. No flight was observed but found few Solenopsis queens walking around.

 

Found a new species that I have never seen before at night under the bleacher.
Believe it is species from the genus Proceratium but nothing quite matches up to the species that are on antmaps.org.
It looks quite larger (about 5~6 mm) and darker than the species that live here according to that website as well.

I'll definitely look for a queen of this species as well as continuing my search for an Aphaenogaster lamellidens queen.

 

If anyone has any idea to what this species name is let me know.

 

dyxaB1Q.jpg

n8ghjLY.jpg2i1Eobd.jpg

Y8wCVZM.jpg


Edited by Lamarr, July 19 2018 - 1:00 PM.


#12 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 19 2018 - 12:54 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 19
Still very hot and humid but not as humid as yesterday. (yesterday felt like your body was constantly wet from the humidity)
Noticed Solenopsis invicta preparing for their nuptial flight yet again. Other than that nothing special was observed around noon.

 



#13 Offline Aaron567 - Posted July 19 2018 - 1:36 PM

Aaron567

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,005 posts
  • LocationPensacola, FL

July 18
Really hot and humid until around 3 PM, then it cooled down due to shower that lasted an hour or so.

It got hot and humid again throughout the day. No flight was observed but found few Solenopsis queens walking around.

 

Found a new species that I have never seen before at night under the bleacher.
Believe it is species from the genus Proceratium but nothing quite matches up to the species that are on antmaps.org.
It looks quite larger (about 5~6 mm) and darker than the species that live here according to that website as well.

I'll definitely look for a queen of this species as well as continuing my search for an Aphaenogaster lamellidens queen.

 

If anyone has any idea to what this species name is let me know.

 

It appears to be the introduced species Gnamptogenys triangularis. It looks like the only records of these in Alabama are in Mobile county so if this is indeed G. triangularis then their range in the US has definitely spread beyond what is known.


Edited by Aaron567, July 19 2018 - 1:37 PM.


#14 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 19 2018 - 2:03 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

 

July 18
Really hot and humid until around 3 PM, then it cooled down due to shower that lasted an hour or so.

It got hot and humid again throughout the day. No flight was observed but found few Solenopsis queens walking around.

 

Found a new species that I have never seen before at night under the bleacher.
Believe it is species from the genus Proceratium but nothing quite matches up to the species that are on antmaps.org.
It looks quite larger (about 5~6 mm) and darker than the species that live here according to that website as well.

I'll definitely look for a queen of this species as well as continuing my search for an Aphaenogaster lamellidens queen.

 

If anyone has any idea to what this species name is let me know.

 

It appears to be the introduced species Gnamptogenys triangularis. It looks like the only records of these in Alabama are in Mobile county so if this is indeed G. triangularis then their range in the US has definitely spread beyond what is known.

 

I also think it is very likely that this is Gnamptogenys triangularis as well (thanks to AntsAreUs on the chat).
I've got a better picture of this ant and it looks almost identical to the one shown here. http://www.antwiki.o...ys_triangularis

 

Gnamptogenys_triangularis_casent0179951_

L2Np9OI.jpg


Edited by Lamarr, July 19 2018 - 2:04 PM.


#15 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 19 2018 - 5:17 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 19
Went out to look for a queen and check the nest of Gnamptogenys triangularis.
The weather was little warm, not that hot. Also, not that humid either.

 

No flight was seen but I found Trachymyrmex septentrionalis dealate walking about and she was collected.

 

Really bad picture of the queen.

 

kZewD4R.jpg



#16 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 20 2018 - 1:35 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 20

Went to check my usual anting ground but didn't found much. Air was cool and not very humid.

I found one Solenopsis invicta queen which I caught (I don't know why I caught this one).



#17 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 20 2018 - 1:44 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 20 afternoon

Scalding hot weather (according to weather website it feels like +100 F) 58% humidity.

Found another Trachymyrmex septentrionalis queen.



#18 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 23 2018 - 3:36 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 21

Around 9:30 AM hot and little humid I found a Trachymyrmex septentrionalis queen at the same spot I caught other two queens, patchy grass area with a sandy substrate.

 

July 22
Nothing special to report.

 

July 23

Hot and not very humid but windy. Nothing special to report.



#19 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 25 2018 - 1:35 PM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 24

Cloudy not hot not cool afternoon weather. Didn't see any flight.

 

July 25

Cool not very humid after midnight. Found Solenopsis and Brachymyrmex (most likely) dealates collected under the light at the parking spot.



#20 Offline Lamarr - Posted July 26 2018 - 12:41 AM

Lamarr

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 141 posts
  • LocationBirmingham, Alabama

July 26

Right after midnight. Cool and not very humid weather.

I have not been able to find any significant flight activity in the past few days.

Perhaps most of the common ants have flown already this year.

 

Just as a note for myself -

Formica spp. flew late June to early July.

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus I've caught were found in May (probably flew earlier but I've only started looking on May).

Single Aphaenogaster lamellidens (most likely) dealate was found on June 21 and smaller Aphaenogaster sp. found around the same time.


Edited by Lamarr, July 26 2018 - 12:47 AM.






Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: anting, nuptial flight, sighting, observation, ant, ants, nuptial, flight, queen, dealate, alate, drone, mating, alabama, al, south, southeast, alabama ants

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users