An unusual ant find
What do you do if you find an ant you suspect is something usual or simply want more information on?
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New distribution records
Many of the introduced ants present in New Zealand are still spreading. We are adding to this site information on all ants established in New Zealand and those that are quarantine threats. This information includes maps of collection sites in New Zealand. If you have collected an ant outside its known distribution we are interested in the specimen.
Collecting ants
The easiest way to survey most ants is to hand search. Look for trails along smooth surfaces, and nests under rotting logs, stones, etc. Some of the more cryptic species spend all there time inside the litter layer in forests or gardens and will rarely be collected unless pitfall traps are used or they are extracted from the litter (e.g., using Tulgrin funnels). An alternative collection method is to place out sweet and protein baits (e.g., peanut butter and jam) and revisit at intervals to collect ants feeding on the bait. Not all species will be attracted to the same bait.
To collect specimens use a small artists paint brush dipped into 75% alcohol to grab a worker and transfer to a vial containing 75% alcohol. Add a label with location, date, collector, and habitat details. Alternatively, put live ants in a sealed container or collect on some sticky tape (although this makes identification more difficult).
Send it to:
Darren Ward
Landcare Research
Private Bag 92170
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142