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Post by Magnus on Jul 21, 2014 21:31:08 GMT
Hey, I just found some tiny winged ants and was wondering if any of you more experienced could give me an id and tell me if they are queens or alates (they are 5-6 mm long). And allso I would like to know if the Lasius Niger have nuptial flights several times a year, I think I read something about it.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 21, 2014 21:58:31 GMT
The photos are blurred when opened to full size Magnus, but from the shape and colour I would hazard a guess at a Myrmica species.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 22, 2014 5:03:18 GMT
And allso I would like to know if the Lasius Niger have nuptial flights several times a year, I think I read something about it. Between now and the middle of August multiple flights will take place, for nigers snd flavus. They don't just fly the once and that's it, you can't miss the queens they are big with nigers being the larger to flavus. Flavus tend to fly in this region between 7-9pm, whilst nigers fly mid-day and evening. They take you by surprise, so keep a container on you if you want some. From those images it looks like you have a queen, but in the images it has wings which unless she unhooks them she is not mated. The really tiny ones are the males, these will die after mating where the birds will pick them up. Queens are massive compared to males you can't miss them. Another indication, if you hear and see the birds going frantic a flight is happening.
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Post by Magnus on Jul 22, 2014 14:30:15 GMT
Thank you, it was realy helpfull. They haven't dropped their wings yet, but I still have hope since there were so many queens and no males (left) and it was about 11pm.
By the way; do you have any tips about alternatives to the testtube-set up? I only have a few test tubes. It would be great if the set up wouldn't need much attention (lasted for a long period of time without refill of water).
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 22, 2014 14:35:23 GMT
By the way; do you have any tips about alternatives to the testtube-set up? I only have a few test tubes. It would be great if the set up wouldn't need much attention (lasted for a long period of time without refill of water). If you have any clean coffee or jam jars, you can put some damp cotton wool in them and sometimes queens will lay eggs and start a small colony. Any wide mouthed glass or clear plastic contain with an escape proof lid as long as you make a few very small air holes.
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Post by Magnus on Jul 22, 2014 14:58:26 GMT
Ok. It's just that I do not know how to make small enough holes. The queens are 5mm long...
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 22, 2014 15:04:09 GMT
Ok. It's just that I do not know how to make small enough holes. The queens are 5mm long... Ask your mum for a fine sewing needle, then hold it between the jaws of some metal pliers (your dad should have some) and hold the sharp end over a hot flame, or ask your dad to do this for safety reasons. When it gets hot you simply push it through the plastic lid to make a fine hole. If the lid is metal then you just tap the needle with a small hammer and it will make tiny holes.
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Post by Magnus on Jul 22, 2014 15:42:18 GMT
Ok. Thanks
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Post by Magnus on Jul 22, 2014 15:48:18 GMT
By the way, do you have any idea 'bout the id? I think they might be Myrmica Rubra, but I'm not sertain...
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Post by Driver Ant on Jul 22, 2014 16:03:06 GMT
Like Wood Ant said, it looks like a Myrmica species, but you can never give a positive correct ID from just photos. It kind of depends on what Myrmica you have in your country
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Post by Magnus on Jul 22, 2014 16:46:00 GMT
Well, I do know we have Myrmica Rubra.
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