La Sierra Ave, Riverside CA
6/25/2019
1. Location of collection: These were landing on the screen of the Arrowhead Credit Union’s ATM, on La Sierra Ave in Riverside CA. at 10pm 6/23/2019.
2. Date of collection: 6/23/19
3. Habitat of collection: This was in a mini-mall, and facing a parking lot.
4. Length: The one I measured was 5mm.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: They are red, with at least 2 lighter stripes around their gasters. They appear to have a petiole and postpetiole. As a new enthusiast, I was intrigued by the mandibles, I consider them to be large for it’s size (judging by the space between them when magnified). They are covered with hair, but less on the gaster. They appear to have 3 spots towards the rear of the top of their heads.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: two petiole nodes, and size of mandible. Both elaborated on in #5.
7. Anything else distinctive: These particular queens still have their wings, they may not be fertile. I have no idea where the colony is.
8. Nest description: Unable to locate.
9. Nuptial flight time and date: This is unknown to me, unless I caught them during their nuptial flight, However I caught 8 of these and never saw a male land on the ATM.
