10 replies to this topic

[gsparrow]

1.  Location of collection:  Kent Co., Delaware

2. Date of Collection:  7-12-2019

3. Habitat of Collection:  Driveway

4. Length:  10mm

5. Coloration:  Dark with lighter color in between the segments of the abdomen.

6. distinguishing characteriistics:  ?

7. anything else distictive:  ?

8. Nest description:  n/a

9. Nuptial flight time/date:  see following notes.

 

So I got back from camping the other day and was unpacking in the driveway and found this queen.  I don't know if she is local (from Kent County, Delaware) or if she hitch hiked from where I was camping (Carbon County, PA)????????  It just seems weird that she shows up when I have the camping gear dragged out of the car laying in the driveway.   

 

 

[AnthonyP163]

This is probably a Formica species from the pallidefulva group or the neogagates group. We need better, closer pictures from multiple angles to be sure.

[TennesseeAnts]

Seems too small to be pallidefullva. My best guess would be Formica neogagates or lasioides.

[gsparrow]

Here are some pics I just took.  These are the closest my camera can get but I tried to get different angles.

 

Edited by gsparrow, July 15 2019 - 12:11 PM.

[gsparrow]

I checked on Antmaps.org and Formica neogagates is not listed in Delaware but is listed in PA so if that is what it is, then it somehow hitchhiked from camping.  Formica lasioides is not listed in PA or DE. And Formica pallidefulva is listed for both PA and DE. So, still not sure if I had a stow away or not.  Formica subsericea is listed for both PA and DE.

Edited by gsparrow, July 15 2019 - 1:23 PM.

[gsparrow]

I also checked on AntWeb.  The list of Formica in PA is:  exsectoides, fusca, incerta, neogagates, obscuriventris, pallidefulva, pergandei, and rubicunda.  

The only formica species on AntWeb for Delaware is subsericea.

 

So, which is more accurate AntWeb or Antmaps??????

[TennesseeAnts]

They are both flawed. Both antmaps and antweb have incomplete databases. But what you have is Formica neogagates.

[EthanNgo678]

Formica neogagates is a very fun species to keep, I currently have a three queen colony with around hundred workers. They are very fun to watch when they hollow out their prey.

[gsparrow]

Thank you all !!!!!  I'm glad to see helpful, knowledgeable, experienced people on this site along with all of us newbies that are trying to learn!!!!!!

[TennesseeAnts]

Formica neogagates is a very fun species to keep, I currently have a three queen colony with around hundred workers. They are very fun to watch when they hollow out their prey.

I agree. I love their curiosity. When I lived in Washington, I made it a tradition to found a new colony every year.

[gsparrow]

Thanks again for the advise.  I'm a newbie so what ever species I find is going to be fun. 

So far I have:

1 Formica neogagates (founding)

4 Pheidole bicarinata (founding) (2 of them seem to be doing good - not sure the other 2 are fertile)

9 Tetramorium immigrans (founding) (all are doing well and all were fertilized but I will be only keeping one in the end)

1 Aphaenogaster rudis (small colony in Mini Hearth) 

 

I had a Camponotus pennsylvanicus founding and she had laid about 10 eggs which hatched and were growing and then the queen died.  I don't know why.  I really wanted this species so hopefully I will find another queen next spring.