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[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Album: Journal pics

3 images

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 here's the pic (sorry if it's blurry, it was taken on my phone).

She was caught August 13th, and she's a little less than an inch ( about 3/4ths of an inch if you have a ruler handy) 

[ANTdrew]

Given the date and the look of that queen, she seems more like a Formica to me. Maybe some of the ID whizzes should chime in on that, though.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah, I'll message some people about it...

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Also thanks Ant_Drew, your help is much appreciated!

[Ferox_Formicae]

She’s definitely some sort of Formica, in the Formica fusca-group. Species will be nearly impossible to tell from this photo alone.
She’s definitely some sort of Formica, in the Formica fusca-group. Species will be nearly impossible to tell from this photo alone.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Ok, I'll try to take a better pic

[ANTdrew]

I knew Ferox would call it!
Turns out Formica is the next species you’re gonna keep.

Edited by ANTdrew, February 8 2020 - 2:46 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

do you think that would help?

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, February 8 2020 - 2:45 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

*do you think a better photo will help?

Because I could take out my actual camera

[Ferox_Formicae]

It should help, though I'm not the most keen on Formica gyne identification. They all look very similar, and to my knowledge, there is no key to North American Formica fusca-group gynes at the moment. But yeah, better photos should help. Be sure to get photos from all angles and and as clear as possible, preferably from outside of the test tube. This will help me to pin down exactly what species this could be. My thoughts are subsericea, postoculata, or glacialis, but I could very well be wrong.

[TennesseeAnts]

That's a Formica queen in the fusca group. Based on area of collection and date, she's Formica subsericea.

[Ferox_Formicae]

That's a Formica queen in the fusca group. Based on area of collection and date, she's Formica subsericea.

No way to tell without better photos. As I mentioned before though, she's definitely in the Formica fusca-group.

[ANTdrew]

Yeah, I would just default to the most common Formica in your area. That’s what I do while birding. You’ll probably need a microscope for 100% certainty.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Ok, I'm sure that when workers arive it will be easier to tell...

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

                 Hello all ant keeping enthusiasts!  I will be covering a slew of topics in this post so pay attention. Firstly off, the next journal update will be on March first, 2020. That will be a major update day as I will be taking out my Camponotous colony, and checking on my Formica queen (for now I'm assuming Subsericia, but I may be mistaken. I will take photos with my camera if there are any workers, and if not, specify if she has brood, and if so at what stage).

                  Secondly, I will be testing the wheatgrass and sugar combo on my Camponotus colony (using a test tube like the honeywater test tube before).  IF my Camponotus colony enjoys, then I will ship it out to the people participating in my study (sorry for the wait guys, a lot of stuff came up and I haven't had time to do that, but it'll happen soon, don't worry ). Further more, I will also keep an eye out for small majors (they already have medians, so I'm interested to see their growth this year!). 

                  Thirdly, the shout-out system. It will officially start on March first, as that would be the real beginning of my ant season as all of my colonies would be active. However, this community has come together to help me ID my queen, and for those who helped, I would like to recognize you. So may we all recognize the following; Ant_Dude2908, rrbarto, Zeiss, ANTDrew, Ferox_Formicane, and those who I sadly can't remember. You've all been a great help, and I truly hope you have a wonderful ant keeping season.  

                    Finally, I would like to wish all you Camponotus keepers a good day, and a wonderful Valentine's day. 

[ForestDragon]

and those who I sadly can't remember XD its the tomb of the unknown major

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

lol, yesss. I'm the clumsiest and most forgetful person I know lol

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I checked on her today and she laid a(n) egg(s). Hard to tell, but hopefully she'll get workers, and I will be able to move her into the Mini-Hearth! 

[ANTdrew]

Excellent! Time to change the name of this journal, right?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah!