Hoping I caught a mated carpenter ant queen

[Jus144tice]

Size: 25mm
When: 29/05/2023 12:00
Where: West Stockbridge, MA - back yard
Appearance: Large black ant with wings on.
Behaviour: She was running around on the ground. I was able to catch her and get her into a test tube. She started running faster as I caught her, but she never flew. Only ran.
She is currently settled down in the test tube and seems to just be staying perfectly still at the moment.
Picture(s):



My son (11) has been trying to find a mated queen to start a colony. Today, while doing yard work (in western MA), I saw this one walking around on my patio. Was able to snag it and my son is ecstatic. However, I'm a little concerned that it's unmated. Wings still on. I know there's no definitive way to know until she hatches workers (or not), but any thoughts on catching a winged queen like this? Want to set expectations appropriately with my son. I hard a hard time getting my phone camera to focus on the ant inside the test tube...

[antperson24]

Size: 25mm
When: 29/05/2023 12:00
Where: West Stockbridge, MA - back yard
Appearance: Large black ant with wings on.
Behaviour: She was running around on the ground. I was able to catch her and get her into a test tube. She started running faster as I caught her, but she never flew. Only ran.
She is currently settled down in the test tube and seems to just be staying perfectly still at the moment.
Picture(s):



My son (11) has been trying to find a mated queen to start a colony. Today, while doing yard work (in western MA), I saw this one walking around on my patio. Was able to snag it and my son is ecstatic. However, I'm a little concerned that it's unmated. Wings still on. I know there's no definitive way to know until she hatches workers (or not), but any thoughts on catching a winged queen like this? Want to set expectations appropriately with my son. I hard a hard time getting my phone camera to focus on the ant inside the test tube...

It sometimes takes a while for them to shed their wings. Just wait and see, that's all you can do. Does she have any little golden hairs on her abdomen (for identification purposes)?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Size: 25mm
When: 29/05/2023 12:00
Where: West Stockbridge, MA - back yard
Appearance: Large black ant with wings on.
Behaviour: She was running around on the ground. I was able to catch her and get her into a test tube. She started running faster as I caught her, but she never flew. Only ran.
She is currently settled down in the test tube and seems to just be staying perfectly still at the moment.
Picture(s):



My son (11) has been trying to find a mated queen to start a colony. Today, while doing yard work (in western MA), I saw this one walking around on my patio. Was able to snag it and my son is ecstatic. However, I'm a little concerned that it's unmated. Wings still on. I know there's no definitive way to know until she hatches workers (or not), but any thoughts on catching a winged queen like this? Want to set expectations appropriately with my son. I hard a hard time getting my phone camera to focus on the ant inside the test tube...

Camponotus Pennsylvanianicus

Really cool species but a bit slow growing. Ehh unless there is a nest near you there is a good chance it’s mated. C penn fly late at night, and can be found in the morning searching for founding chambers. I really suggest breaking sticks open to look for queens as you might actually find a colony and or a queen with brood.

[antperson24]

Size: 25mm
When: 29/05/2023 12:00
Where: West Stockbridge, MA - back yard
Appearance: Large black ant with wings on.
Behaviour: She was running around on the ground. I was able to catch her and get her into a test tube. She started running faster as I caught her, but she never flew. Only ran.
She is currently settled down in the test tube and seems to just be staying perfectly still at the moment.
Picture(s):



My son (11) has been trying to find a mated queen to start a colony. Today, while doing yard work (in western MA), I saw this one walking around on my patio. Was able to snag it and my son is ecstatic. However, I'm a little concerned that it's unmated. Wings still on. I know there's no definitive way to know until she hatches workers (or not), but any thoughts on catching a winged queen like this? Want to set expectations appropriately with my son. I hard a hard time getting my phone camera to focus on the ant inside the test tube...

Camponotus Pennsylvanianicus

Really cool species but a bit slow growing. Ehh unless there is a nest near you there is a good chance it’s mated. C penn fly late at night, and can be found in the morning searching for founding chambers. I really suggest breaking sticks open to look for queens as you might actually find a colony and or a queen with brood.

How could you tell she was C. pennsylvanicus without seeing the golden hairs?

[SolenopsisKeeper]

Size: 25mm
When: 29/05/2023 12:00
Where: West Stockbridge, MA - back yard
Appearance: Large black ant with wings on.
Behaviour: She was running around on the ground. I was able to catch her and get her into a test tube. She started running faster as I caught her, but she never flew. Only ran.
She is currently settled down in the test tube and seems to just be staying perfectly still at the moment.
Picture(s):



My son (11) has been trying to find a mated queen to start a colony. Today, while doing yard work (in western MA), I saw this one walking around on my patio. Was able to snag it and my son is ecstatic. However, I'm a little concerned that it's unmated. Wings still on. I know there's no definitive way to know until she hatches workers (or not), but any thoughts on catching a winged queen like this? Want to set expectations appropriately with my son. I hard a hard time getting my phone camera to focus on the ant inside the test tube...

Camponotus Pennsylvanianicus

Really cool species but a bit slow growing. Ehh unless there is a nest near you there is a good chance it’s mated. C penn fly late at night, and can be found in the morning searching for founding chambers. I really suggest breaking sticks open to look for queens as you might actually find a colony and or a queen with brood.

How could you tell she was C. pennsylvanicus without seeing the golden hairs?

Why are they necessary lol

Penn is the only large campo besides maybe chromaides in MA(Not enough red for chrom)

[antperson24]

Camponotus Pennsylvanianicus

Really cool species but a bit slow growing. Ehh unless there is a nest near you there is a good chance it’s mated. C penn fly late at night, and can be found in the morning searching for founding chambers. I really suggest breaking sticks open to look for queens as you might actually find a colony and or a queen with brood.

How could you tell she was C. pennsylvanicus without seeing the golden hairs?

Why are they necessary lol

Penn is the only large campo besides maybe chromaides in MA(Not enough red for chrom)

Oh, I always thought a good way to id C. pennsylvanicus was by those hairs. I'll be sure to remember that, thanks.