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Any information is much appreciated but I live in Tennessee in the US. Camponotus castaneus is the main species I want and I have done my research on them...trust me . So I guess I'm looking for when and where would be a good time to look for them in my area. It's different in every state (kinda) and curious is I may be to late or what. Thanks so much guys.

xTNxANTMANx wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 9:00 pm

Any information is much appreciated but I live in Tennessee in the US. Camponotus castaneus is the main species I want and I have done my research on them...trust me . So I guess I'm looking for when and where would be a good time to look for them in my area. It's different in every state (kinda) and curious is I may be to late or what. Thanks so much guys.

In mikey's video he said that may was the best time to find it

That's what I'm hoping for. I have read they fly at night and I work afternoon shift (3pm-11pm) so maybe I can get lucky and happen to find soom after work one night. I wish i still worked midnight shift (11pm-7am). I would be waking at the best time to look in the afternoon/night and gettin off at the best time in the mornings. But im not that lucky lol

Batspiderfish, Martialis, or someone experienced.... tonight makes the fifth night in the past week and a half that I have seen numerous Camponotus castaneus drones but no queens. They swarm around the light poles on the ground at my work when I take my 9:00 break at night. Am I missing the flight or is it just beginning or what? I look everywhere around the parking lot and even in the grass, around trees, you name it and have yet to spot a queen amongst all the drones. Could you give me any insight on this subject?

I've never kept this species, but have found a drone.

I believe C. castaneus i sone of the more diturnal Camponotus out there, so you're probably getting out there as things wrap up. You still may be able to find queens at this time, though.

I would refer to this chart for times ants fly:
http://www.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/181-ant-mating-chart

Not that I never see Camponotus queens at lights, but it seems that the drones which haven't mated are the ones flying at night. The majority of Camponotus queens I see are active during the day. I have never seen C. castaneus in my state, so there's not much other help I can offer, unfortunately.

From all that i have read, Camponotus castaneus like to fly rite at/around dark and so far, that is the only time I even see the drones. I know the queens have to be around because of all the drones so maybe I'll get lucky. If not, then there's always next year. Plus, my Camponotus subbarbatus colonies and pennsylvanicus queens are doing great! I took a peek at my pennsylvanicus queens last night and think I saw one of them with their first worker. I'm going to get a better look when I get off of work tonight. I try to look at the good side of things . Thanks once again.

Also, I actually have that chart downloaded on my phone. The North American one that is . There are many times I have referred to that chart. Most of the time I try to research questions before I ask and get the answers myself. I have an idea of when most species fly now.

Well, I'll have you guys know I finally found me a Camponotus castaneus queen tonight! The weeks of searching finally paid off. I'm going to post pictures for an ID to make 110% sure but I already know she's the one. She's absolutely beautiful. By far my favorite....

Congrats!
Man everyone new on this forum is getting camponotus queens! Where's mine?

In an above post I mentioned that I had read that Camponotus castaneus like to fly at night. I can honestly attest to this. I now have 2 Camponotus castaneus queens and both were found right after dark along with many males in the vicinity both times. I am a little nervous about the second one I caught though... I have had her 4 days as of today and today is the 1st I have checked on her and she still hasn't shed her wings. Now I know they all don't shed their wings right away and can even have them for a while but my other Queen didn't have wings when I caught her and already has about eight eggs. Should I be worried that she possibly didn't mate or with all the males that were around do you guys think I will be okay and just being overly anxious about her still having her wings?