the fire ants are swarming in texas

echostatic

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
129
looks like the red imported fire ants have started their nuptual flights. i was checking mounds at work when i noticed several of them had workers swarming just outside the mound. the alates were all perched at the tops of blades of grass. i saw one amazing scene where a bunch of small, very fast reddish yellow ants were sieging one mound. the alates were perched at the top of the grass and the workers were at the base fighting them off. the alates made it out but the small fast ants tore that colony up.

i noticed one winged and fly to the ground, so i caught it in a cd container. i didnt know if it was mated or not so i let it back out and followed it. after walking for about 5 minutes, it started contorting itself and ripping off its wings. figuring it was mated, i caught it and will see if it starts a colony.
 

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Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
1,150
Might want to collect 3-10 of the queens so you have multiple chances to get one going...
 
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