3:55 Is Pheidole pilifera really that rare in the Midwest? They seem to be the most cold tolerant Pheidole species in the eastern US so it would make sense that they’d do well there. Is it possible that they’re more common than they’re believed to be? Being an ant keeper in Massachusetts I know better than anyone how hard it can be to locate a colony of Pheidole pilifera. They need sandy soil and tall grass, but even when those conditions are met they can be very hard to find especially during the periods of the summer where they are foraging less. I find that locating a colony of Pheidole pilifera requires dedicated and persistent searching of their habitat. Given that in the Midwest Pheidole bicarinata are the most easily identifiable species of Pheidole and are considered (in your words) “the best your gonna get!” I could easily see how Pheidole pilifera could go largely over looked in areas where there are smaller populations (which would be the case in most areas). What do you think about this? Could Pheidole pilifera be more common in the Midwestern US than previously thought? Edit: I was gonna come back and add that Pheidole pilifera could also go more North in Wisconsin, but I just saw your iNat record of Pheidole pilifera in the middle of Wisconsin. This incredibly northern record at approaching the top of their range definitely supports my point that P. pilifera are likely more common in the sandy and grassy areas of the Midwest than some might believe.
In my experience, yes, P. pilifera are restricted to areas with pure-sand soil and generally open, prairie-type plant diversity. That said, with P. bicarinata present, these areas are often dominated by that species, with P. pilifera either being uncommon or entirely absent. Only in localities where P. bicarinata is absent will P. pilifera be a dominant species.
Although they do go far north, as Arthropod Antics mentioned, they are either absent or uncommon in areas with P. bicarinata in Wisconsin. This same effect happens in other parts of the midwest as well, including sand areas in Illinois, which have P. morrisii.
Great video! As far as I know Formica (Raptiformica) sanguinea (at least those we have in Europe) does not require slaves once the first few workers hatched. Yes, they do found in a parasitic way, but after that they don't need slaves while they definitely like to get them. (Also, most of the stolen pupae are being eaten and only a few are enslaved)
It depends on the exact species. There are some sanguinea-group Formica that are facultative slavemakers, meaning they may raid host colonies for brood, however it is not necessary for colony survival. A North American example of this is Formica aserva. However, many (if not most) Formica sanguinea-group species in North America are obligate slavemakers, meaning that brood raids and the presence of slaves in the colony are necessary for colony survival.
Finally, been waiting for you to get back so you could post another vlog
Oh hell yea i live in these 2 states
Awesome video as always.
3:55 Is Pheidole pilifera really that rare in the Midwest? They seem to be the most cold tolerant Pheidole species in the eastern US so it would make sense that they’d do well there. Is it possible that they’re more common than they’re believed to be? Being an ant keeper in Massachusetts I know better than anyone how hard it can be to locate a colony of Pheidole pilifera. They need sandy soil and tall grass, but even when those conditions are met they can be very hard to find especially during the periods of the summer where they are foraging less. I find that locating a colony of Pheidole pilifera requires dedicated and persistent searching of their habitat. Given that in the Midwest Pheidole bicarinata are the most easily identifiable species of Pheidole and are considered (in your words) “the best your gonna get!” I could easily see how Pheidole pilifera could go largely over looked in areas where there are smaller populations (which would be the case in most areas). What do you think about this? Could Pheidole pilifera be more common in the Midwestern US than previously thought?
Edit: I was gonna come back and add that Pheidole pilifera could also go more North in Wisconsin, but I just saw your iNat record of Pheidole pilifera in the middle of Wisconsin. This incredibly northern record at approaching the top of their range definitely supports my point that P. pilifera are likely more common in the sandy and grassy areas of the Midwest than some might believe.
Massachusetts pilifera gang 💪
In my experience, yes, P. pilifera are restricted to areas with pure-sand soil and generally open, prairie-type plant diversity. That said, with P. bicarinata present, these areas are often dominated by that species, with P. pilifera either being uncommon or entirely absent. Only in localities where P. bicarinata is absent will P. pilifera be a dominant species.
Although they do go far north, as Arthropod Antics mentioned, they are either absent or uncommon in areas with P. bicarinata in Wisconsin. This same effect happens in other parts of the midwest as well, including sand areas in Illinois, which have P. morrisii.
nice video
At 4 16 there is a camp. Queen!
POGGERS
4:16 - 4:18 You can see the queen
That's a C. pennsylvanicus queen lol
Epic
Great video! As far as I know Formica (Raptiformica) sanguinea (at least those we have in Europe) does not require slaves once the first few workers hatched. Yes, they do found in a parasitic way, but after that they don't need slaves while they definitely like to get them. (Also, most of the stolen pupae are being eaten and only a few are enslaved)
Many Raptiformica are obligate slave raiders that do need to raid Serviformica.
It depends on the exact species. There are some sanguinea-group Formica that are facultative slavemakers, meaning they may raid host colonies for brood, however it is not necessary for colony survival. A North American example of this is Formica aserva. However, many (if not most) Formica sanguinea-group species in North America are obligate slavemakers, meaning that brood raids and the presence of slaves in the colony are necessary for colony survival.
SirleiaFrancicadiaSilva
corn rat
Corn Rat
Im looking to buy a queen ant brother im local to Arizona pls get back to me
🌽🐀