22 replies to this topic

[BADANT]

Twentynine Palms, CA, USA
7/24/2019
 
Body:
1. Location of collection: Desert field, Twentynine Palms, CA, USA. I found 6 of them, 5 were within 1 foot of the street as I walked along the curb and I found 1 more about 15 feet in from the street.

2. Date of collection: 7/23/2019, at about 9:00pm.
3. Habitat of collection: It was a vacant piece of land in the desert along a wash. There was desert type of plants, but not dense. This piece of land was a long thin strip that ran between the wash and a house. She was found about 20 feet from the road.
4. Length: 11mm to 12mm.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: The color of honey, with some faded light brown bands across her gaster as well as her back.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Three small spots on her head, seems like a pretty large eye. They are fast on the ground and when climbing the walls of the container.
7. Anything else distinctive: None that I could tell.
8. Nest description: Unknown

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Unknown.

[BADANT]

I was told that I might be finding Formica and I saw someone else post some pictures of his Formica pallidefulva last night. These look like them.

[AntPhycho]

You lucky man. I'm almost positive it is Myrmecocystus mexicanus... I am so jealous 

[BADANT]

Well, glad I haven't labeled their tubes yet...LOL

[AntPhycho]

nevermind

Edited by AntPhycho, July 24 2019 - 3:14 PM.

[Aaron567]

This is a species of Camponotus. Probably Camponotus fragilis.

[gcsnelling]

Can you get a better side shot of the head?

[gcsnelling]

Either C. fragilis or C. absquatulator.

[AntPhycho]

Huh I thought it looked almost identical to the description given by http://www.antwiki.o...ystus_mexicanus

That is embarrassing    

[BADANT]

Can you get a better side shot of the head?

[BADANT]

Huh I thought it looked almost identical to the description given by http://www.antwiki.o...ystus_mexicanus

That is embarrassing    

Between trying to learn the names of my target species and the names of the species I have...... 

[gcsnelling]

That shot certainly confirms Camponotus, maxillary palps shorter than the head.

[BADANT]

That shot certainly confirms Camponotus, maxillary palps shorter than the head.

Is that a trait of all componotus species?
Is the consensus still that this is C fragilis?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gcsnelling]

No, but the long palps are a trait of Myrmecocystus. Still something in the Camponotus fragilis group. Please note spelling of Camponotus.

[mbullock42086]

locality alone is usually enough to tell absquatulator apart from fragilis. if in the colorado desert, it's likely absquatulator, if in the mojave or coastal socal, it's almost certainly fragilis.  HOWEVER i did actually collect a fragilis queen from salton city the other year. 

[BADANT]

Huh I thought it looked almost identical to the description given by http://www.antwiki.o...ystus_mexicanus

That is embarrassing    

Yeah, well I've learned from you, that's for sure. But he makes a great point about the palps (not that I knew that term yesterday, but I do today). I had just gotten a ID on a Pogonomyrmex rugousu, and the palps were so noticable because they came to the mandibles, that I listed them as a most distinguishing feature (to me). I also looked at the link that you provided, and in reading it I noticed that the gentleman helping me was quoted in it, unless he just happens to have the same initials and love for ants.

[BADANT]

No, but the long palps are a trait of Myrmecocystus. Still something in the Camponotus fragilis group. Please note spelling of Camponotus.

Please forgive my mistake, i wish I could blame it on my phone. Either way, I appreciate your help and especially the way that you answer with information that helps me learn more. Thank you

[gcsnelling]

locality alone is usually enough to tell absquatulator apart from fragilis. if in the colorado desert, it's likely absquatulator, if in the mojave or coastal socal, it's almost certainly fragilis.  HOWEVER i did actually collect a fragilis queen from salton city the other year. 

 

Agreed, locality is a very good tell, but your record also goes to show that the ants do not read the literature.

[gcsnelling]

The Snelling in the antwiki link is my father.

[ariaant]

Antmoon,  I was really hoping to find camponotus fragilis when i went out to 29 palms. Although i didn't get any, i have plenty of other ants to keep me busy.  Nevertheless, I do really want to get some next season.  Did you have to look in multiple areas for them?  Where they sort of hit or miss, with some areas having lots and others having none? Where they found really far from the main populated areas of 29 palms?

 

I checked several areas on the night of July 26th in 29 palms  but only saw solenopsis xyloni, and some smaller honey pot ant queens.

 

thanks