Nuptial flights
When and where to catch a queen ant in Missouri
20 species that commonly fly in Missouri, with their usual months, the weather to watch for and a way to start each one.
| Species | Flight months | Ideal conditions | Queen size | Type | Recommended setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus | April to July | Warm evenings, often the day after rain | about 16 to 18 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Red carpenter ant Camponotus chromaiodes | April to June | Warm evenings in spring | about 16 to 18 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Citronella ant Lasius interjectus (Acanthomyops) | June to September | Warm, humid days | about 7 to 8 mm | Social parasite | Needs a host colony; not for beginners See the Scout |
| Winter ant Prenolepis imparis | February to April | Cool, damp days; the first flight of the year | about 7.5 to 8.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Big-headed ant Pheidole bicarinata | June to August | Warm, humid days | about 5.5 to 6.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Thief ant Solenopsis molesta | July to September | Warm, humid days | about 4 to 5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| New York carpenter ant Camponotus novaeboracensis | June to July | Warm, still evenings | about 12 to 14 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| American carpenter ant Camponotus americanus | April to June | Warm, humid evenings | about 14 to 17 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Smaller carpenter ant Camponotus nearcticus | May to July | Warm evenings | about 8 to 10 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Pavement ant Tetramorium immigrans | May to July | Warm, humid days; often seen on pavement | about 7 to 8.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Labor Day ant Lasius neoniger | August to October | Warm, humid late summer afternoons | about 8 to 9 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| American citronella ant Lasius americanus | August to October | Warm, humid late summer and early fall days | about 8 to 9 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Black field ant Formica subsericea | July to August | Warm, sunny afternoons | about 10 to 11 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Pale field ant Formica pallidefulva | June to August | Warm, sunny days in spring | about 9 to 11 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Winnow ant Aphaenogaster rudis | June to August | Warm days in spring | about 7 to 8 mm | Fully or semi-claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| American red ant Myrmica americana | August to October | Warm late summer days | about 6 to 7 mm | Semi-claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Acrobat ant Crematogaster cerasi | July to September | Warm, humid evenings | about 7 to 8 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Little black ant Monomorium minimum | June to August | Warm, humid days | about 4 to 4.5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Odorous house ant Tapinoma sessile | May to July | Warm, humid days | about 4.5 to 5 mm | Fully claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
| Acorn ant Temnothorax curvispinosus | May to July | Warm, calm days | about 3 to 4 mm | Semi-claustral | Founding: Scout, $24 See the Scout |
How to use this table
Months are approximate. Flights follow warm, humid weather, often after rain, and shift from year to year and across the state. For the weather signs and what to do with a queen, read how to catch a queen.
A queen starts best in a test tube. The Scout takes a 16 mm tube as it is, and the Founder is the next room. See Start here for the order.
Want to see what flies this month? Use the live flight finder.
Before you catch
American Ant makes housing equipment only: nests, outworlds and parts. We do not sell or ship live ants. Check your state and local rules before catching or keeping any ant. Some species, such as imported fire ants, are regulated.
Questions about Missouri
- What is the easiest beginner queen ant to catch in Missouri?
- Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Eastern black carpenter ant), Camponotus chromaiodes (Red carpenter ant), Camponotus novaeboracensis (New York carpenter ant) are among the easier queens to start in Missouri. Months and conditions vary by year.
- When do queen ants fly in Missouri?
- Across the species listed for Missouri, flights fall roughly between February to October. Each species has its own months, and weather decides the exact day.
- Does American Ant sell queens or colonies?
- No. American Ant makes nests, outworlds and parts only. We do not sell live ants.