Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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!
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!
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Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
The best starter species in temperate North America are from the genera-LeFawnDah wrote: ↑Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:44 pmHey 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!
Lasius
Formica
Camponotus
Tetramorium
Solenopsis (molesta, definately not invicta or geminata)
Temnothorax
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
Thanks for the input, I'll look into those !AntsDakota wrote: ↑Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:43 pmThe best starter species in temperate North America are from the genera-
Lasius
Formica
Camponotus
Tetramorium
Solenopsis (molesta, definately not invicta or geminata)
Temnothorax
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
The fire ants sightings in your area are most probably Myrmica rubra
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Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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.
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.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
Re: Whitney, NB - 1st time keeper
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.AntsDakota wrote: ↑Mon Oct 22, 2018 4:24 pmYes, 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
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.
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