Post by o0kensh1n0o on Sept 11, 2007 5:49:18 GMT
Hey guys,
I went out to the back of my complex as I always do this week, and I checked out the 2 colonies I always do, that are at the base of a tree stump in a large mound. To my surprise I saw a single queen perched up on the stump near the colony entrance. As soon as I knelt down to look at her, she spread her wings, and took off. From what I could see there were not any other alates active in the area. When I overturn some logs in the area, I see around 5-10 odd alates scrambling around the nest, but never in the open. But I did see one queen take off for sure. It is September now, but here in Florida, it stays quit hot deep into October here, so I was wondering what I was doing wrong, and where I should be looking for newly mated queens of any species.
Also, I have captured 2 winged queens, and 1 male from a nest nearby from under a log. Is there any chance that they could possibly mate inside the large test tube they are in, without actually taking flight? If not, please let me know, and I will release them back to their home colony.
Also another question that is bugging me. I see people all the time post on these forums, how they turned over a rock and saw multiple queens and took a few along with some workers. Do they mean winged alates? Or do they mean wingless mature queens? If they mean mature ones, how do they find them just sitting under rocks? Every colony I find has just workers, soldiers, and a few alates near the top. I would have to guess the queen(s) would be deep into the ground, or tree base of the colony. I just don't understand how people say they turned over a rock, or stump and claim they captured a colony. Or the fact that multiple queens, let alone a single queen was just sitting there waiting to be picked up. I would guess they would have to be talking about winged unmated queens. Anyway, please let me know.
I have loved Ants since I was a small child, and have pretty much missed the nuptial flights every year since, due to me forgetting about them, or being just far too busy with other aspects of life to notice, since the window of time that the ants fly during the year can be missed with the blink of an eye, if you are not avidly watching and waiting for them to happen. Thanks a bunch for your time, and for reading this. Take it easy, and any responses will be greatly appreciated. God Bless, and Later Days....... =P
Edit: It is also so much harder when you have to capture the ants yourself, when you are the only person you know who is interested in keeping an ant colony, rather than exterminating one. Even though I've loved ants for years, I am still a novice when it comes to keeping them, as I have NEVER in my life had the joy of having my own domesticated "queened" colony. I can only imagine how great it is to live in the UK, and other parts of Europe, and just order your favorite species of Ant at your desire from the Ant Store, and other ant suppliers. Pretty much if you want to raise a colony here, you have to be an expert in the field, or know some kind of USDA Scientist or something. Anyway, thanks again. Your responses are greatly appreciated.
I went out to the back of my complex as I always do this week, and I checked out the 2 colonies I always do, that are at the base of a tree stump in a large mound. To my surprise I saw a single queen perched up on the stump near the colony entrance. As soon as I knelt down to look at her, she spread her wings, and took off. From what I could see there were not any other alates active in the area. When I overturn some logs in the area, I see around 5-10 odd alates scrambling around the nest, but never in the open. But I did see one queen take off for sure. It is September now, but here in Florida, it stays quit hot deep into October here, so I was wondering what I was doing wrong, and where I should be looking for newly mated queens of any species.
Also, I have captured 2 winged queens, and 1 male from a nest nearby from under a log. Is there any chance that they could possibly mate inside the large test tube they are in, without actually taking flight? If not, please let me know, and I will release them back to their home colony.
Also another question that is bugging me. I see people all the time post on these forums, how they turned over a rock and saw multiple queens and took a few along with some workers. Do they mean winged alates? Or do they mean wingless mature queens? If they mean mature ones, how do they find them just sitting under rocks? Every colony I find has just workers, soldiers, and a few alates near the top. I would have to guess the queen(s) would be deep into the ground, or tree base of the colony. I just don't understand how people say they turned over a rock, or stump and claim they captured a colony. Or the fact that multiple queens, let alone a single queen was just sitting there waiting to be picked up. I would guess they would have to be talking about winged unmated queens. Anyway, please let me know.
I have loved Ants since I was a small child, and have pretty much missed the nuptial flights every year since, due to me forgetting about them, or being just far too busy with other aspects of life to notice, since the window of time that the ants fly during the year can be missed with the blink of an eye, if you are not avidly watching and waiting for them to happen. Thanks a bunch for your time, and for reading this. Take it easy, and any responses will be greatly appreciated. God Bless, and Later Days....... =P
Edit: It is also so much harder when you have to capture the ants yourself, when you are the only person you know who is interested in keeping an ant colony, rather than exterminating one. Even though I've loved ants for years, I am still a novice when it comes to keeping them, as I have NEVER in my life had the joy of having my own domesticated "queened" colony. I can only imagine how great it is to live in the UK, and other parts of Europe, and just order your favorite species of Ant at your desire from the Ant Store, and other ant suppliers. Pretty much if you want to raise a colony here, you have to be an expert in the field, or know some kind of USDA Scientist or something. Anyway, thanks again. Your responses are greatly appreciated.