image taken using my revl v camera phone
Do you see what I see? I was ecstatic to realize I had not missed the flight. I did a store run Thursday morning and got booted form #pypt when I switched to my camera to take pictures.
image taken using my revl v camera phone
These first two images are of the first nest I see when going to the store. It seems they have decided to use the dead grass clippings to extend the nest. I am not sure which image is more clear so I thought I would just use them both.
The next few images were taken on the property of the shopping center near me. This one I was only able to see one winged ant. I think it is interesting that they do not particular mind the pebbles, considering this is a species that prefers to have mostly clear land.
I have to say this one is my favorite as it shows multiple elates. I just LOVE seeing them.
image taken using my revl v camera phone
I feel like this one should have had more. I know by the two holes this is not a first year nest. The bigger the nest the more entry holes they have when they are busy.
This one is across the street from me and is the last one I see before I get home. This nest is around the same age as the one in my front yard (about five years old).
This is the nest in my yard. I had not seen any of the elates in a couple days so I was sure I had missed it.
I was kind of surprised by the whole thing, because the first time I saw the nuptual flight. It was when I was staying downtown. That was before 2019. The buses had stopped running for the day and I was heading back to where I was staying from the library. They were ALL over the bus transfer station. It was a warm and sunny day then. I do not recall the day so there is no way I could check the weather for that time.
I have been doing a little more digging and found out they need a windless humid day to fly. Not sure why the day has to be humid but they are not very good flyers so can not fly during windy weather.
I had to go back and check precipitation days to get a better idea of an elate production time. It seems between the end of last month and now has been the most wet weather this year.
screen shot of weather spark
I suspect that within the next week I will see more of the elates and may even be able to catch one if I had a test tube to put one in.
For those who do not know, all ant/wasp/bee species are female. The only time males are produced is when the colonies are splitting to form a new one. As far as how to tell the difference in gender of each insect, I do not know. I am not an insectologist.
If I am able to catch them in the process of flight I will take pictures.
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