What Queen Ants To Look Out For Right Now (May 30th, 2018)

Summary

In this episode of Ant Bite Wednesdays, the host shares insights on ant keeping, particularly focusing on Camponotus ants, which are currently in their prime season for queen spotting in North America. The host encourages viewers to capture and care for these ants, highlighting their ease of observation and slow growth. Additionally, the video offers guidance for ant enthusiasts globally, suggesting how to identify local flying ants. The host also promotes the AntsCanada.com store for ant-keeping supplies and invites viewers to join the AC Family for more ant-related content.

Takeaways

• 👋 Welcome to ANT BITE WEDNESDAYS, a show about ants and their relevance to global news, social media, and ant keeping.
• 🌍 The host is informing North American viewers about queen ants to look out for, while also offering guidance for viewers from other continents.
• 📍 The host recently met with the AC Family in Ontario, Canada, and was impressed by the ant enthusiasts' passion and participation.
• 👗 Many attendees came dressed in ant-themed attire and brought their own queen ants, indicating a strong interest in ant keeping.
• 🌳 The current season is ideal for spotting Camponotus ants, commonly known as carpenter ants, especially in the afternoons.
• 🔍 When a queen ant is found, she should be placed in a test tube setup and kept in the dark to encourage egg-laying.
• 🐜 Camponotus ants are favored for their large size, ease of observation, and polymorphic characteristics, including the presence of super majors.
• 🚫 However, Camponotus ants have a slower growth rate, taking 8 weeks to develop from egg to adult and requiring more time to reach significant numbers.
• 📚 The host recommends watching the Camponotus Care tutorial and other ant tutorials for in-depth information on ant care.
• 🌏 The video also provides information on ant species that may be flying in Europe, Australia, and Asia.
• 📝 Viewers are encouraged to share their queen ant captures and locations to help others in their region identify and find ants.
• 🛒 AntsCanada.com offers ant keeping gear, including test tubes for queen ants and an e-book guide on ant keeping.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about queen ants, particularly in North America, and how to identify and care for them.

What event did the speaker attend recently?

The speaker attended the first AntsCanada meet & greet in Ontario, Canada.

Why is the speaker's voice hoarse?

The speaker's voice is hoarse due to the recent event where they met many AC Family members.

What did the attendees of the AntsCanada meet & greet bring with them?

The attendees brought ant shirts, test tubes, ant costumes, and even queen ants to the event.

What is the current season for Camponotus ants?

The current season is the ultimate season for Camponotus ants, also known as carpenter ants.

How should a queen ant be placed for egg-laying?

A queen ant should be placed in a proper test tube setup, kept in the dark, and she should start laying eggs in a few days.

What is special about Camponotus ants?

Camponotus ants are large, polymorphic (having super majors after about the hundredth worker), and relatively easy to keep, making them great for observation.

What is a downside of keeping Camponotus ants?

Camponotus ants are slow-growing, taking 8 weeks for development from egg to adult worker, and the queen takes periodic egg-laying breaks.

What is the typical time frame before one can see impressive numbers of Camponotus ants?

It usually takes two years before you start to see impressive numbers of Camponotus ants.

What additional resources does the video recommend for ant keeping?

The video recommends watching the Camponotus Care tutorial and checking out the playlist of ant tutorials for a full range of helpful ant keeping tips.

What does the speaker suggest for those who do not live in North America?

For those who do not live in North America, the video will show what ants may be flying in their area in Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Where can viewers find ant keeping gear and resources?

Viewers can find ant keeping gear and resources at AntsCanada.com, including specially made test tubes for queen ants and a complete e-book handbook guide on ant keeping.