Help on info on my area in North Carolina

[Vampiriev]

Hello all,
So I am new to all this and was hopping someone could point me in the right direction on some info.

So some info first: I have the handbook and have read over it several times. I also have found what species are found in the state, and when there nuptial flights take place. I have also researched some species that I would like to go for.

My main problem is that most of the info I find is for or bast the coast or Piedmont/sand hills of NC. While I myself am as far in the blue ridge mountains as you can get. Which for my biodiversity and places to go looking is great! I know what to look for with weather and time of the year, however I would like to have a little better understand of my region. I know it might seem silly and maybe I am over thinking things. But with the elevation differences and the colder temperatures. Compared to the other parts of the state didn't think more info was a bad idea.

My target species at the moment is: Prenolepis imparis I know they will be flying soon here and I just want to have the best chance possible of finding a queen.

Thanks for any info guys!

[Nathant]

I have a tip for Prenolepis imparis:

I find the colonies all the time in dead tree stumps, so you might be able to find some just-flew queens in them. Of course, their behavior may change where you live because I don't live too close to you but more than likely that will not change much.

[Batspiderfish]

Antmaps is an excellent resource for distribution data:
http://antmaps.org/?

And here is an exert from the fledgling nuptial flight database I've been working on, sorting results by elevation, from NC, SC, GA, and TN:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Pcwjl6XsJWRm9KQXN4T3B3NEE
It's been converted to HTML, so Google drive doesn't really know what to do with it. After downloading, it should work fine in your browser.

[Vampiriev]

Thanks to both of you!

@Nathant I will keep an eye out I have some stumps like that on my property that I will be watching.

@ Batspiderfish That database is very impressive and helpful. I have used antmaps its what helped me narrow down what I would go for. (although I am hopeful for Prenolepis imparis something about them just captivates me)


I think that is why I am looking for more info on my area because it shares similarities with Eastern Tennessee more than the rest of NC with the way weather behaves. And because I only have a small window I want to have the best chance possible.