Catching So Many Queen Ants

Summary

In this episode of Ants Canada, the host shares the ups and downs of ant keeping, including the loss of colonies but also the excitement of catching new queen ants in Toronto. The video serves as a tutorial on identifying and capturing queen ants post-nuptial flight, offering tips for success. The host introduces a new Camponotus and Formica queen, discusses the importance of patience and proper eyewear, and highlights improved AC test tubes for nurturing new colonies. The episode ends with a special announcement of a Trap-Jaw queen ant and an interactive Q&A session for viewers.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The video discusses the importance of finding a location with greenery and water for queen ant collection.
• 🐜 The narrator shares personal experiences of ant keeping, emphasizing the joy of starting a colony from a single queen.
• 📹 The video is a tutorial on how to catch a new queen ant to start an ant colony, a fulfilling aspect of ant keeping according to the channel.
• 📅 The narrator explains the nuptial flight season for ants, when queens mate and then seek new places to start nests.
• 👀 The importance of patience and keen eyesight is highlighted for successfully spotting and catching queen ants.
• 📍 The video mentions that permits may be required for insect collection, and permission is necessary for public property.
• 🎙️ The Ants Canada channel started in Toronto, Canada, but the narrator now resides in the Philippines.
• 🔍 The narrator provides tips on distinguishing queen ants from other types of ants, directing viewers to tutorials for more information.
• 🏠 The video introduces improved AC test tubes for ant keeping, featuring longer tubes, notches for water filling, and stabilizing teeth.
• 🆕 A new Trap-Jaw queen ant is introduced, named 'Jawbreakers,' representing a new colony for the channel to nurture.
• 🎁 The video concludes with an announcement of a contest for viewers to win AC test tube packs and encourages participation in the comment section.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is about catching queen ants to start new ant colonies and the introduction of a new Trap-Jaw queen ant named Jawbreakers.

Why is the AntsCanada channel named so, even though the host is in the Philippines?

The AntsCanada channel is named so because it started in Toronto, Canada, where the host lived before moving to the Philippines in 2011.

What is the best place to look for queen ants according to the video?

The best place to look for queen ants is a location with a lot of greenery and a body of water nearby, such as a nature trail near a river.

What is a nuptial flight in the context of ants?

A nuptial flight is an annual event where reproductive young virgin queens and males leave the nest to mate. After mating, the males die, and the fertilized queens drop to the ground, break off their wings, and seek places to start new nests.

Why are queen ants more likely to be found after a rainstorm?

Queen ants are more likely to fly and be found after a rainstorm because the moisture and cooler temperatures can trigger mating flights.

What are some characteristics of Camponotus ants mentioned in the video?

Camponotus ants are large, active, avid feeders who love sweets and insects. They do not sting but can spray formic acid. They are also known for taking a long time to grow to an impressive size.

What is special about the new AC test tubes introduced in the video?

The new AC test tubes are longer, have a notch for filling water and cotton, come with a small blue sponge, have teeth to prevent rolling, and include transparent adapter pieces to control the opening size and attachment options.

What is the importance of not mixing different queen ants in one container?

Different queen ants should not be mixed in one container because they can fight and use formic acid to harm each other, which is dangerous for the ants.

What is the GAM project mentioned in the video?

The GAM project is a platform where queen ants caught by the host in Toronto will be kept and sold to prospective ant keepers in the area once they have their first set of workers.

What is the AC question of the week in the video?

The AC question of the week asks for one reason why carpenter ants would make a great species for beginner ant keepers.

How often does the AntsCanada channel upload new videos?

The AntsCanada channel uploads a new ant video every Saturday at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.