11 replies to this topic

[Silvak]

1. Location of collection: 59th/101Loop Glendale, AZ
2. Date of collection: 3/27/2015
3. Habitat of collection: Urban - sidewalk, manicured grass, trees, man-made lake, desert
4. Length (from head to gaster): 9-10mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Smooth black/dark color with light tan/grey bands on gaster. Head is a very dark red.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Very mellow
7. Anything else distinctive: N/A
8. Nest description: N/A

 

I found this queen on the sidewalk outside my apartment this evening. I didn't have a container on me so I managed to walk her back in my hand. She's in a test tube setup at the moment. She was pretty mellow in my hand until we got inside and then she tried crawling up my arm. We had heavy rain last week and it's gotten into the 90's the past couple of days. Lastly, this is my first ever ant queen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Silvak, March 28 2015 - 9:56 AM.

[Chromerust]

I have Drew here with me in the car and he thinks you have a myrmecocystus. Maybe a Mendax.

[Miles]

Oh, so now they choose to fly!

 

Also, this does resemble Myrmecocystus. M. mendax has red coloration, though.

Edited by Miles, March 27 2015 - 10:01 PM.

[James C. Trager]

Good call on Myrmecocystus. Note the looonng maxillary palp (visible under the head) in the last image.

[Silvak]

Myrmecocystus? Nice! Any speculation on which species?

[dspdrew]

Haha wow, I don't know where the colors I was seeing came from while I was in the car.

[AntTeen804]

Myrmecocystus Testaceous?

[dspdrew]

I don't think you can get the species without more detailed pictures. It looks like it may have flown a while back, and might be having problems because of the size of its gaster and the fact that it's not in a founding chamber.

[Silvak]

Thanks Drew. I figure I'd need better pictures, but my little Nikon can't do any better. Do you think her small gaster might cause problems with getting brood going?

[Gregory2455]

I think this is that same black species be and drew caught (not the testaceus).

[TobyRF]

I caught one if these beauties a few weeks ago and she finally layed eggs last night! Congrats and enjoy!

[dspdrew]

I think this is that same black species be and drew caught (not the testaceus).

 

The ones I found in Palm Desert that looked just like M. yuma, I'm pretty sure were actually M. creightoni after trying to key them out. Their mating flight dates seem to match also, unlike M. yuma's.