The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Hello, I am fairly new to ant keeping. I've spent the last six months researching and learning about ant care, species, and diet. I have already caught three solenopsis queens. But, this is not what i'm looking for. I've been told they are not a very good beginner species, and that they are extremely hostile. This is why I've turned to other native Texas species, such as atta texana and camponotus sp. I was wondering if anybody knew a good location in Texas to find leafcutter, harvester, and carpenter ant queens. I currently live in Katy and all I can find are solenopsis queens and solenopsis nests, so if anybody is from Texas.. please help! (Also, I do know that their nuptral flights haven't started in Texas yet, but I would like to know where to go to find some.) Thank you so much for reading, and any suggestion is appreciated.

Really, basically any species can be a good starter. Many of the desert species are flying already, though I'm not sure you're willing to travel that far. Camponotus is found around Houston and I wouldn't be surprised if you found some Pogonomyrmex baidus.

Atta texana is a desert species and will fly in May.

Martialis wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:41 pm

Really, basically any species can be a good starter. Many of the desert species are flying already, though I'm not sure you're willing to travel that far. Camponotus is found around Houston and I wouldn't be surprised if you found some Pogonomyrmex baidus.

Atta texana is a desert species and will fly in May.

Thank you! By Houston, do you mean country or cities?

Camponotus will nest anywhere there's wooded areas or even rotten timber. As for the Pogonomyrmex, you can identify their nests by a seed pile (usually near the entrance) or a large clearing surrounding the vicinity of their nest.

Martialis wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:48 pm

Camponotus will nest anywhere there's wooded areas or even rotten timber. As for the Pogonomyrmex, you can identify their nests by a seed pile (usually near the entrance) or a large clearing surrounding the vicinity of their nest.

Alright, thank you much for your help.