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As I've mentioned before, I'm hoping to catch some mated queens during this year's mating flights, most likely Myrmica Rubra but I'd also consider taking Lasius Niger or Flavus if they're around. A few years back, one of my friends was considering starting a formicarium, and used Google Trends to try to work out when to expect mating flights to occur: http://www.google.com/trends?q=flying+ants&date=all&geo=gbr.eng&ctab=0&sort=1&sa=N
My friend came to the conclusion that 15th/16th July are most likely to be the key days, and perhaps another day a few days after that, although I'm not sure how he did that analysis. Does this sound right? Also, does anyone know whether this is likely to be correct for most UK species, or just for the ubiquitous Lasius Niger? I imagine it'd be beneficial for all local ant species to co-ordinate their mating flights together, to minimise the effects of predation, but that's just a guess.
Yeah I'm awaiting the right time to catch them, I usually get a good amount of queens in case of death.
As I've mentioned before, I'm hoping to catch some mated queens during this year's mating flights, most likely Myrmica Rubra but I'd also consider taking Lasius Niger or Flavus if they're around. A few years back, one of my friends was considering starting a formicarium, and used Google Trends to try to work out when to expect mating flights to occur: http://www.google.com/trends?q=flying+ants&date=all&geo=gbr.eng&ctab=0&sort=1&sa=N
My friend came to the conclusion that 15th/16th July are most likely to be the key days, and perhaps another day a few days after that, although I'm not sure how he did that analysis. Does this sound right? Also, does anyone know whether this is likely to be correct for most UK species, or just for the ubiquitous Lasius Niger? I imagine it'd be beneficial for all local ant species to co-ordinate their mating flights together, to minimise the effects of predation, but that's just a guess.
Most ant species fly in july-august. Some species like F. rufa earlier (april-may) and other species like M. barbarus later (september). But most during summer... this time of the year is best. L. niger already flew in the Netherlands last friday!
Yeah, I saw what I think were L. Niger on Tues-Weds-Thur last week, and I think there may have been more today. I'm waiting for M Rubra; I really hope I can find some. Later this month, I expect.
I saw a niger queen, 2 weeks ago. There haven't been any big flights in South London yet though.
I have never seen big flights of rubra/ruginodis though, and I have been living in the UK, watching ants for 20 years+. Occasionally I have seen fertilised queens looking for a place to set up a nest. This, even bearing in mind that my garden is absolutely full of rubra. I'm not sure if they fly at night, in smaller numbers than Lasius.
Thanks for the info; sounds like I'll need to pay careful attention if I'm going to find two or three queens to set up a polygyne colony. There are some Rubra along the grass verge on the main road near my flat, but I never feel very comfortable snooping around there hunting ants as it's very exposed and there aren't many other pedestrians, so I really stand out. I don't want to get hassled by the multitudinous local yobs, and I don't really want other people from my block of flats to work out what I'm doing, either - I doubt they'll be too keen for me to keep ant colonies in our building!
Anyone got any success stories of finding multiple fertilised Myrmica rubra queens in the wild?
Ah, where do you live? The local yobs don't sound good at all. I can guarantee that the people in your block won't have a clue.
Didcot, it's near Oxford. Probably best if I don't start ranting about it here; maybe I'll moan about it in the off-topic forum someday. :wink:
As for the other residents in my block, I shouldn't think they'll notice what I'm up to if I remain furtive, but I'm not sure what I'd tell them if they wanted to know why I've recently started pacing up and down outside, staring at the pavement. :wink:
I'm an expert in knowing when Lasius niger go on their nupital flight. It is always the middle of July, the first week before the summer holiday or the first week after. This year that is next week or the week after, though just in case do keep a look out this week like I am, but it is unlikely this week.
Magicalsushi
Well let us know if you find any. Otherwise I can have a look in my garden and see what I can find. Will post you some if you really can't find any yourself.