12 replies to this topic

[camponotuskeeper]

Location- walla walla, Washington

Location climate- dry, fire pit next to rocks,

size 3 milimeters
Coloration- brown, narrow body
Distinguishing characteristics- pointed long abdomen, tiny, only 1 under Each rock
Nuptial flight time-n/a
Will post pics can’t on my ipad do don’t yell at me for no pictures

Edited by camponotuskeeper, October 2 2019 - 6:30 PM.

[camponotuskeeper]

sorry for bad pics best i could do with tiny ant

[Manitobant]

Definitely a ponerine, possibly ponera pennsylvanica? She is semi claustral and needs feeding in order to get past the founding stage.

[camponotuskeeper]

ant maps says that species is not in washington and i looked again and saw 1 ant is 3 milimeters the others are more like 5 milimeters could it be stigmatomma oregonese? and are they queens? 

Edited by camponotuskeeper, October 2 2019 - 7:03 PM.

[Manitobant]

ant maps says that species is not in washington and i looked again and saw 1 ant is 3 milimeters the others are more like 5 milimeters could it be stigmatomma oregonese? and are they queens?

could be hypoponera then, and antmaps isn't always right. Pennsylvanica is in Washington according to antweb.

EDIT: it looks very close to hypoponera opacior, there is a good chance that it is this species.

Edited by Manitobant, October 2 2019 - 7:15 PM.

[camponotuskeeper]

what about the size difference worker and queen? different species? are they queens?

 

if it is that what should i feed them? 

Edited by camponotuskeeper, October 2 2019 - 7:16 PM.

[Manitobant]

Well almost all ponerine workers and queens are virtually identical except for a small size difference that is hardly even noticeable. Hypoponera opacior is probably the most likely candidate.

[camponotuskeeper]

ok what should i feed them? and are hypoponera opacior fully claustral

[Manitobant]

ok what should i feed them? and are hypoponera opacior fully claustral

as I said before they are semi claustral and some of the hardest semis to raise. I would put some soil in her test tube to keep it moist (they are also horrible at climbing glass) and feeding her the stuff you feed regular colonies. And also, she may not be a queen so don't be too upset if she dies

Edited by Manitobant, October 2 2019 - 7:25 PM.

[camponotuskeeper]

are they polygynous? ok i won't be to upset.

Edited by camponotuskeeper, October 2 2019 - 7:27 PM.

[Manitobant]

are they polygynous? ok i won't be to upset.

I think so though I'm not sure.

[RushmoreAnts]

Ponera pennsylvanica are, so I wouldn't be surprised if they are as well.

[ponerinecat]

hypoponera are not easily poly, do not combine. 

feed her insect bits and some honey in paper

give her lots of dirt