Nuptial flights in Arizona/desert

[Joeliamsullivan]

Hi! I’ve been trying to get back into ant keeping. I used to live in New York where it is pretty easy to understand when nuptial flights are. Queen hunting seems a little more complex here. I live in the Mesa area and have caught almost a dozen rover ant queens this year. Most were fertile. I’m looking into other species like seed harvesters. Many species seem to be more nocturnal. So I don’t know how long after rain and what time most fly. Does anyone have any tips or know how ants fly in the desert?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Hi! I’ve been trying to get back into ant keeping. I used to live in New York where it is pretty easy to understand when nuptial flights are. Queen hunting seems a little more complex here. I live in the Mesa area and have caught almost a dozen rover ant queens this year. Most were fertile. I’m looking into other species like seed harvesters. Many species seem to be more nocturnal. So I don’t know how long after rain and what time most fly. Does anyone have any tips or know how ants fly in the desert?

I am not there, but I have asked people and they said look in areas where seed harvesters are present. Sorry if this doesn’t help, but good luck!

[RespectforAnts]

For Nighttime flights maybe try putting out a black light or other type of light out and they might be attracted to it. Good luck

[LaniLyne0106]

Oh wow someone else who is in Arizona as well! I haven’t seen a nuptial flight but I have found queens wandering around I currently have 3 different sp. Pogonomyrmex queens ( honestly they were probably already establishing colonies and I just snatched them ). I would take SolenopsisKeeper’s advice as your most likely to find them where there are other harvester ant colonies. Best of luck