7 replies to this topic

[chickenman297]

Queen 1

 

1. Location of collection: East Ipswich, QLD
2. Date of collection: 5th October 2016
3. Habitat of collection: Suburbia, pavement
4. Length (from head to gaster): Approx 6 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black, smooth, shiny, no patterns
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Large gaster
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: Unknown, alone

 

I believe it is a tetramorium of some kind

 

Queen 2

1. Location of collection: East Ipswich, QLD
2. Date of collection: 5th October 2016
3. Habitat of collection: Grassland
4. Length (from head to gaster): Approx 12 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black, shiny, smooth
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Large thorax
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: Unknown, alone

 

I believe this one is an iridomyrmex of some kind

 

[Canadian anter]

I am not sure about the first one bit I can say it is not tetramorium. The second one looks like iridomyrmex purpureus

[chickenman297]

Thanks. Perhaps the first one could be a lasius? I don't have much experience with the tetramorium and lasius queens.

 

As for the second one. I'm about 99% sure you're right. They are going to be interesting if I can get them founded as their primary source of food is honeydew from what I have read. I wonder if honey water or drops of honey would work as an alternative to sap sucking insects.

[Canadian anter]

I don't think there are lasius in Australia

[Batspiderfish]

The pictures aren't really sufficient for me? But if you can get a good image of the tip of the gaster, we can at least figure out what subfamily they are in, for starters.

[chickenman297]

The pictures aren't really sufficient for me? But if you can get a good image of the tip of the gaster, we can at least figure out what subfamily they are in, for starters.

I have left them for a few days to settle down and they have started broods. In the mean time, I have captured a 3rd queen (stats the same as 1st queen, caught about 20m down the road from queen 1). I have tried to take the best close ups of their gasters as requested as well as a few other pics

 

Queen 1

 

Queen 2

 

Queen 3

[James C. Trager]

Queens 1 & 3 look like Iridomyrmex, possibly the same species.

Queen 2 is a ponerine ant. Clear views of the mandibular teeth, and above and side views of the petiole would be needed to ID her. 

[chickenman297]

Queens 1 & 3 look like Iridomyrmex, possibly the same species.

Queen 2 is a ponerine ant. Clear views of the mandibular teeth, and above and side views of the petiole would be needed to ID her. 

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

Queen 1 is about 1 mm smaller than queen 3. I'm not sure if that means anything, but clearly smaller. Looking in the shoe box I have them in, it's quite distinct.

 

These are the best images I can come up with (so far) of queen 2's petiole and mandibles. I think the mandibles are fair, but I'll let you guys be the judge. These photographs were taken with the assistance of a magnifying glass. I wasn't sure if it would work, but the results on the mandibles are pretty good I think lol.

 

 

Edit: Perhaps I could wait for the nanitics (correct my spelling if needed) of queen 1 and 3 to correctly ID?

Edited by chickenman297, October 11 2016 - 12:38 AM.