This queen was collected and photographed in the New Jersey Pine Barrens on July 27, 2019 during the New Jersey Ant Together.
1. Location (on a map) of collection: Browns Mills, NJ: 39.896315, -74.574218.
2. Date of collection: July 27, 2019.
3. Habitat of collection: New Jersey Pine Barrens (most notably: sandy soil, lots of pine)
4. Length (from head to gaster): 6 - 6.5 mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: red/rust-brown body with darker gaster. Unlike my other Aphaenogaster rudis queen, she appears almost "matte" upon first glance—before I collected her, I thought she may have been Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. The pictures don't do the effect justice, but I assure you when not under direct bright light, her body (particularly her thorax) seems to be more of a dull orange than a rusty brown.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Noticeably smaller than an A. rudis queen I collected earlier in the month.
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: Collected under a rotting log near what I believe was a parasitic Lasius colony. If she had brood, I didn't find any.
9. Nuptial flight time and date: No flight activity was observed, although given the condition of her habitat at the time of collection, I wouldn't be surprised if she had flown recently.
Earlier in the day, we spotted Aphaenogaster workers that seemed 1/2-2/3 the size of normal Aphaenogaster rudis workers and a slightly lighter hue. I initially mistook them for Pheidole morrisi minors, but was corrected by MrILoveTheAnts, who suggested they were more likely Aphaengaster carolinensis.
Don't have too many pics. I hope these do the trick.
