9 replies to this topic

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

1. Location (on a map) of collection:  Eastern part of Wisconsin 
2. Date of collection: 7-21-19
3. Habitat of collection: Sidewalk outside my house
4. Length (from head to gaster): 6 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black with tiny bits of rust color or red and brown
6. Distinguishing characteristics: N/A
7. Distinguishing behavior: Likes to climb up walls and sit upside down on the wet cotton ball
8. Nest description: N/A
9. Nuptial flight time and date: Not sure

 

Edited by Pumpkin_Loves_Ants, July 21 2019 - 12:49 PM.

[NickAnter]

This is a formica queen. Not sure of species or group though.

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

Ok I took another look at her and I am not 100% sure but I think she is a Formica Fusca queen. Her legs and antennae are brown while the rest of her body is black so I am pretty confident in my decision. If anybody thinks she is anything different please let me know. Thanks!

[T.C.]

Another person from WI?

[NickAnter]

I do not think this is Formica fusca.  The body shape seems a little off. And they are a European species.

[rbarreto]

Looks a lot bigger than 6mm.

[AnthonyP163]

Formica, looks like Formica pallidefulva group, likely pallidefulva or incerta. 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I caught two pallidefulva queens today (I could tell because they are the only Formica in my area with any red on them.), so that doesn't seem unlikely. This one looks similar, but I would guess incerta because it has a black thorax, unlike my queens.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, July 22 2019 - 10:38 AM.

[AnthonyP163]

I caught two pallidefulva queens today (I could tell because they are the only red colored Formica in my area.), so that doesn't seem unlikely. This one looks similar, but I would guess incerta because it has a black thorax, unlike my queens.

The Formica pallidefulva around our area are almost always a darker color than the other orange variant down south. This is why incerta and pallidefulva are often harder to tell apart in the north.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

The ones in our area aren't all red, but mostly black or brown with a red thorax. I meant to say that they are the only Formica in our area with any red at all, not they they are completely red. I see the post isn't clear at all, I will edit it.