29 replies to this topic

[Gregory2455]

So, by dspdrew 's recent anting topic, among other things, I have seen the flights start too. Alza reported mating flights of Dorymyrmex insanus, and Dorymyrmex bicolor in the mountains near me, so I went to investigate.

 

I caught:

• 4 Dorymyrmex insanus queens
• 1 Dorymyrmex cf. bicolor queen

 

The flights have started!

 

 

Today I went back to see if I could catch more, and came back with 2 more Dorymyrmex insanus queens.

 

This weekend, I am going to go to the location in the desert that dspdrew, kellakk, and Chromerust were "combing," to see if I could get lucky with any Myrmecocystus yuma, or Veromessor pergandei.

[LAnt]

Its a long drive no?

[Gregory2455]

The desert is, but these Dorymyrmex areas are five minutes away from me.

By the way, I just noticed I put this into Ant Keeping instead of Anting...

[Foogoo]

I plan to go out and see what I can find this weekend as well. Are you digging up founding chambers or finding them by another method?

[Gregory2455]

Founding chambers.

[AntsTexas]

cool, i'v seen some where i live west texas, we have fire ants here in lubbock...  good luck everyone on the 2015 nuptial flights!!!   gonna try 4 my 1st colony!! 

[Gregory2455]

Awesome!

[LAnt]

Do you guys think myrmecocystus will be flying at any rainfall now specifically in the oc la area

[dspdrew]

I think it might be possible.

[Michaelofvancouver]

I didn't know there were that many species that flew early in the year! 

In fact, I only knew about Prenolepis imparis. 

[dspdrew]

I didn't know any Myrmecocystus flew in the first week of February, but I guess so.

[Gregory2455]

I see anything out of Myrmecocystus yuma now. They seem to be the hardiest Myrmecocystus sp. in California.

[Ants4fun]

All our ants are under about a foot of snow here in South Dakota! : (

[Gregory2455]

That sucks! It will warm up eventually for you. I would actually prefer waiting like you guys because the queues for some species such as Prenolepis imparis are so easy to see...

[rarankhan]

Do you guys know about NY specifically? What nuptial flights are happening here?

[Gregory2455]

I think we have a few people here from NY, maybe they know better.

[dermy]

You guys are lucky We in Canada won't be seeing anything for a few months at least Although we might see more snow [it can't stay nice out for long ]

[benjiwuf]

Western ny is still much too cold, maybe Thursday will be decent though if it rains early and stays in the 60's. It's not a ver likely chance though since it's been way too cold still. I'd say wait until it's in the 60's for a week and then start looking. Any place in ny specifically? Just wondering if I have a fellow ant hunter nearby haha.

[Lennon]

benjiwuf

 

Western ny is still much too cold, maybe Thursday will be decent though if it rains early and stays in the 60's. It's not a ver likely chance though since it's been way too cold still. I'd say wait until it's in the 60's for a week and then start looking. Any place in ny specifically? Just wondering if I have a fellow ant hunter nearby haha.

Thanks for the advice. If you go down the city to collect ants, let me know.

[benjiwuf]

Ah you're in the NYC areas, you may have more luck with mrilovetheants. He's around there as well as a few others. They actually do a New Jersey ant together I believe.