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Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:44 pm
by LeFawnDah
Hey everyone ! First timer here, and I live in New Brunswick.
No queens yet because I decided to start a colony recently. I am waiting until spring to catch my first one. Now I've been looking at species in New Brunswick, and I'm wondering what your thoughts are on ants for a beginner! I've read we have fire ants in my city, and pharaoh ants in my province, and I've taken an interest in them.
Look forward to your input!
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:43 pm
by AntsDakota
LeFawnDah wrote: ↑Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:44 pm
Hey everyone ! First timer here, and I live in New Brunswick.
No queens yet because I decided to start a colony recently. I am waiting until spring to catch my first one. Now I've been looking at species in New Brunswick, and I'm wondering what your thoughts are on ants for a beginner! I've read we have fire ants in my city, and pharaoh ants in my province, and I've taken an interest in them.
Look forward to your input!
The best starter species in temperate North America are from the genera-
Lasius
Formica
Camponotus
Tetramorium
Solenopsis (molesta, definately not invicta or geminata)
Temnothorax
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:45 pm
by AntsDakota
Also, I wouldn't be too certain that fire ants, from the genus Solenopsis, and pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis, are very common in temperate regions. They are strictly tropical species, and survive up north by living in heated buildings. Both species are also not beginners.
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:46 pm
by AntsDakota
Solenopsis molesta, although from the same genus as fire ants, are called grease ants, and are easy to keep, unlike their fire ant relatives. They are also very tiny, and hard to see. I have a medium sized colony of about 1,000 or so.
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2018 6:01 pm
by LeFawnDah
AntsDakota wrote: ↑Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:43 pm
The best starter species in temperate North America are from the genera-
Lasius
Formica
Camponotus
Tetramorium
Solenopsis (molesta, definately not invicta or geminata)
Temnothorax
Thanks for the input, I'll look into those !
As for the fire ants, I did some reading and there have sightings in my city, but the question is,are they still here?
But I'll stick to the beginner species
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:20 am
by MaxGen
The fire ants sightings in your area are most probably Myrmica rubra
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 4:24 pm
by AntsDakota
Yes, Myrmica rubra are easily mistaken for Solenopsis invicta, especially to people who don't care about ants and/or think every red ant is a fire ant.
Here are some examples of red ants that are not fire ants
Myrmica sp.
Pogonomyrmex sp.
Acromyrmex/Atta sp.
some Pheidole sp.
Aphhaenogaster sp.
some Camponotus sp.
Xenomyrmex
some Formica are half red
Myrmecia sp.
some Myrmecina sp.
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:55 am
by LeFawnDah
AntsDakota wrote: ↑Mon Oct 22, 2018 4:24 pm
Yes, Myrmica rubra are easily mistaken for Solenopsis invicta, especially to people who don't care about ants and/or think every red ant is a fire ant.
Here are some examples of red ants that are not fire ants
Myrmica sp.
Pogonomyrmex sp.
Acromyrmex/Atta sp.
some Pheidole sp.
Aphhaenogaster sp.
some Camponotus sp.
Xenomyrmex
some Formica are half red
Myrmecia sp.
some Myrmecina sp.
Sorry for the delay, I was hibernating. I appreciate your input, I'm looking forward to the coming summer months to find my first Queen.
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:17 pm
by LeFawnDah
I saw my first queen last month, and unfortunately I was not ready to catch her. Going to try my luck in the forrest this week while temperatures are still good.