8 replies to this topic

[Jamiesname]

Date: 3-30-19

Location: Michigan - Northeastern Lower Penninsula

Habitat: Jack Pine forest with a few oaks and white pines. Mostly dry, almost sandy soil.

Color: Red head and thorax. Black gaster.

Size: 6mm-7mm

Distinguishing Characteristics: Came from a large mound, 2'-2.5' high and at least 6' in diameter at its base. Very aggressive and fast. I counted 11 antenna segments. Every mound I inspected held the same species of ant. There didn't appear to be any sign of slave or host workers, although it can't be entirely ruled out.

[Rstheant]

Looks like a Camponotus species. Not sure, maybe give pictures of its entire body?

Edited by Rstheant, March 30 2019 - 7:23 PM.

[dspdrew]

Finally a proper ID thread.   Looks like Formica to me, especially if it came from a mound. I'm not sure on the species though.

[TennesseeAnts]

Looks like Formica aserva.

[Jamiesname]

Looks like Formica aserva.

Looks like both have 11 antenna segments, and 6 teeth on their mandables. The only thing that doesn't fit is the large mounds that this species makes.

I'm thinking that they are Formica Exsectoides, but the info I am finding claims that they are slavers. I can say with close to 100% certainty that 'IF' this species is capable of being a slaver, it doesn't rely on it to survive. There are thousands if mounds in the woods with these ants, and not a single one contains any different species. In fact, there's so many of these ants that it's difficult to find any other species within their territory.

I'll send it in to The School of Ants tomorrow and keep you guys posted. I really want to find out the species so I know when to look for dealates.

[AntJohnny]

I think you are right about them being formica exsectoides. There is some woods by my house that had a lot of the mounds they make. I think they are called Allegheny mound ants. The pictures you posted look identical to them too. The antena segments are the same. And the color is almost identical. If they are slave raiders but can grow and live without raiding that would be a cool species to have.

[Jamiesname]

I sent in the above worker for ID on April 2nd, so I'll know what it is soon enough.

In the meantime here's a pic of what I dug out of one of their mounds. It's hard to tell, but there's 9 queen's in this jar, plus some workers. 8 of the queen's turned up in the first 3 scoops, the 9th was after about 6 scoops. I'm guessing that all of the ants were in the top of the mound where it was warmest. I put 3 of them back in what was left of their mound. I'm sure there were also several more, based on how easily I found these, in the other half of the mound that I didn't dig up.

[AntJohnny]

I'm sure you already know this. But watch out for parasites. The host colony I caught for my parasitic lasius had two workers with blood sucking mites. I got rid of them two, and I hope that was it but if not I don't want to put all my colonies at risk. From now on any ant I find I am going to check for parasites before I bring in my ant room.

[Jamiesname]

I'm sure you already know this. But watch out for parasites. The host colony I caught for my parasitic lasius had two workers with blood sucking mites. I got rid of them two, and I hope that was it but if not I don't want to put all my colonies at risk. From now on any ant I find I am going to check for parasites before I bring in my ant room.

Yeah, the last queen had one on her leg. I was able to remove it though. Also, 3 of the workers each had a mite so I killed those ones. I checked every worker before adding it to the group and I didn't see anymore than that. I even checked every 4th one under my endoscope and all of those were mite free. Hopefully I didn't miss any, but the odds are against me with that many ants and the small size of the mites.

I made a grout formicariaum for them and it'll be ready tomorrow. I'll find a way to put 3-4 workers under the endoscope at a time tomorrow and check them all before putting them in.

Edited by Jamiesname, April 5 2019 - 4:27 PM.