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Post by myrmicaman on Aug 18, 2020 20:22:59 GMT
Lots of alates near Nolton Haven, Pembrokeshire last Thursday, August 13th. I found a newly mated queen running on the ground and now have her in a suitable tube. Pic to follow. Steve
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Post by myrmicaman on Aug 21, 2020 18:34:10 GMT
Here's the mated queen from the Myrmica nuptual flight pictured in my last post, now settled in a tube, hopefully to found a colony.
Anyone know which species of Myrmica? Also I think they are semi-claustral colony founders, so I've given her a bit of food jelly and a small fly. But I have not tried to start a colony of Myrmicas from scratch like this before, so any tips and advice welcome  |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 22, 2020 7:49:31 GMT
Hard to say exactly what species she is, but I would guess from the photo she is a Myrmica rubra or ruginodis. Ruginodis is very widely found in all parts of the British Isles and is the only ant species to have colonised on the island of Shetland.
If you live close to the coast then I will guess she is a Myrmica ruginodis queen.
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Post by myrmicaman on Aug 22, 2020 17:29:46 GMT
I expect you are right and it is ruginodis, which is common round here. I don't want to disturb Her Majesty to check, but if I get workers I will do so.
She has moved the small fly I gave her and bitten 2 legs off it, so I think she probably is semi-claustral. I have a little set up from AntKit on order which slots a starter tube into a little outworld, so that should suit her.
Steve
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