10 replies to this topic

[Fairlyexhausted]

1. Location (on a map) of collection:
On the side of a road next to woods and fields, Horsted Keynes, West Sussex, England UK
2. Date of collection: 28th June 2019
3. Habitat of collection:
4. Length (from head to gaster):
10mm, but measured while she's in the tube so could be a bit off
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:
Shiny black, with brownish tints on legs
6. Distinguishing characteristics:
7. Distinguishing behavior:
Aggressively pulling at cotton to get out of tube when first captured, once put in the dark she calmed down completely, and now seems unfazed by light when checked on, only really seems disturbed if tube is moved

 

Edited by Fairlyexhausted, July 14 2019 - 4:59 AM.

[Martialis]

deleted

Edited by Martialis, July 16 2019 - 5:37 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Lasius niger

Umm. No. Formica in the neogagates group. I can't id her to species though.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, July 14 2019 - 5:32 AM.

[Fairlyexhausted]

Here's a photo of her next to what I think is an L.niger (on the left) as she looks the same as my other l.niger that I bought.  They look nothing alike, so I'm fairly sure she's not Lasius niger. she's much bigger, especially her head, and lacks the sort of shimmery grey band that my l.nigers have around their gasters.

[TennesseeAnts]

Yeah the one on the left is L. niger and the one on the right is some sort of serviformica, likely in either the fusca or neogagates group.

[AnthonyP163]

The Formica queen is likely Formica lemani, since Formica picea and Formica gagates don't seem to have the same shape or setae. However, I am still unsure because she doesn't yet have workers. Once she gets workers, update us. 

[Fairlyexhausted]

The Formica queen is likely Formica lemani, since Formica picea and Formica gagates don't seem to have the same shape or setae. However, I am still unsure because she doesn't yet have workers. Once she gets workers, update us. 

She's already got some small larvae so hopefully a worker or two in a few weeks! I will try to update when they come.

[Martialis]

Lasius niger

Umm. No. Formica in the neogagates group. I can't id her to species though.

Yup. You’re right. I honestly don’t know where I got that.

[Martialis]

Delete this post

Edited by Martialis, July 14 2019 - 9:11 AM.

[Fairlyexhausted]

Here she is with her first brand new worker! And some cocoons and some naked pupae, some ready any minute I think! I'll get a couple more photos once she's gained her true colour if it'll help confirm her ID

[Acutus]

I love the workers color now! too bad it'll change!