The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

Hello there, I've recently really gotten in the idea of ant keeping and I am considering getting into it in the future. I've been trying my best to research what sort of ants I can find locally (United Kingdom, Yorkshire) but I've found a lot of confusing information that tends to contradict itself. I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with information on what sorts of ants I can find locally and when their nuptial flights are. Please and thank you <3

Jackorias wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:12 pm

Hello there, I've recently really gotten in the idea of ant keeping and I am considering getting into it in the future. I've been trying my best to research what sort of ants I can find locally (United Kingdom, Yorkshire) but I've found a lot of confusing information that tends to contradict itself. I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with information on what sorts of ants I can find locally and when their nuptial flights are. Please and thank you <3

These are by far the most common species of ants in the UK-

Lasius niger
Lasius flavus
Myrmica rubra
Tetramorium caespitum
Formica fusca

Lasius niger fly in July-August
Lasius flavus fly in August
Myrmica rubra fly in July and August
Tetramorium caespitum fly in June
Formica fusca fly from June-August

Thank you very much for the help <3

I'm happy to be of assistance.

My only correction would be Myrmica rubra often fly between August and September. Sometimes even in early October!

I can't wait to get into it Just gotta be patient. Thinking about maybe Joining the GANs project while I wait to get my own place, so I can practice finding and beginning a colony until I can actually raise my own.

AntsDakota wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:43 pm

Jackorias wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:12 pm

Hello there, I've recently really gotten in the idea of ant keeping and I am considering getting into it in the future. I've been trying my best to research what sort of ants I can find locally (United Kingdom, Yorkshire) but I've found a lot of confusing information that tends to contradict itself. I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with information on what sorts of ants I can find locally and when their nuptial flights are. Please and thank you <3

These are by far the most common species of ants in the UK-

Lasius niger
Lasius flavus
Myrmica rubra
Tetramorium caespitum
Formica fusca

Lasius niger fly in July-August
Lasius flavus fly in August
Myrmica rubra fly in July and August
Tetramorium caespitum fly in June
Formica fusca fly from June-August

Due to our climate and such, Rubra actually fly in August to September here in Ireland. Now given that the UK has practically identical climate to Ireland's I would safely assume the flight secdual is roughly the same. Also I have noticed Rubra will fly early or late depending on altitude.
Early August when on lower ground where as the ones up hill from mine waited until mid September to have their flight.

Lasius flew here from July to early and once in mid September.
Now this year Ireland and UK got a hard hit for winter and we were snowed in, in most places as late as march! This could and mostly did have an effect on when the flights accured in our countries. Hopefully this year is less crazy in terms of weather. Tho the winds have been getting heavy for longer durations then normal so maybe we won't get a break from it.

try antmaps for information. they sometimes mess up but they have the easiest to use info.