54 replies to this topic

[Skwiggledork]

I unexpectedly and accidentally came into a small colony of T.bicarinatum. I probably have between 20-30 ants (workers and queens both with and without wings) and a decent amount of brood.

 

 

Not the best picture since I scrambled to get a test tube and the AC test tube portal to start dumping them in and just snapped a quick pic to try and get an ID. I received a petridish formicarium and hydrated it too fast and water spurted out of it and there was a bunch of brood and ants in it, so they were just suddenly all over.

Edited by Skwiggledork, July 31 2020 - 2:23 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

I think they'd be fine in a test tube like you have them until they outgrow it. Just make sure they don't escape.

[NickAnter]

These are not Pharoah ants. They are either Myrmica or Tetramorium bicarinatum, likely the latter if you are near NYC or Long Island.

[RushmoreAnts]

Either way, a test tube will suit them fine.

[Skwiggledork]

These are not Pharoah ants. They are either Myrmica or Tetramorium bicarinatum, likely the latter if you are near NYC or Long Island.

The petridish formicariums came from Ontario, Canada, If that narrows it down. I'll try to get better pictures in a few. I'm kind of glad and kind of disappointed they aren't pharaohs.

[NickAnter]

If the ants came from Ontario it is most certainly Myrmica. You probably won't be able to get down to a species without a microscope.

[TennesseeAnts]

That seems to be some sort of Tetramorium. Possibly T. bicarinatum, a common exotic in greenhouses in Canada.

[VoidElecent]

Where did you catch these? Could be Stenamma sp.

[Skwiggledork]

 

 

[Skwiggledork]

Where did you catch these? Could be Stenamma sp.

I ordered some formicariums from canada and these were stowed away in them.

[NickAnter]

Definitely Tetramorium bicarinatum.

[Skwiggledork]

 

 

 

 

Ok, Now that I have some better pictures I would definitely agree these are T.bicarinatum. The petiole is to rounded to me M.pharaonis and the propodeum has a pair of spines, which the Monomorium doesn't.

[Manitobant]

that's 100% bicarinatum. I have a colony of these and they are extremely easy to care for. They'll eat literally anything and grow quite fast.

[Canadant]

Cool looking ants.

Edited by Canadant, April 10 2020 - 6:13 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

(Deleted) 

Edited by AntsDakota, April 10 2020 - 1:56 PM.

[VoidElecent]

Yep, T. bicarinatum. Didn't know they were in Canada. Nice pics, btw

[RushmoreAnts]

Perhaps they just arrived from a tropical location, or survived winter by living in warm buildings.

[Skwiggledork]

The store I ordered the formicariums from sell ants within canada, so they may have just had some escape. No idea either way.

[Skwiggledork]

The brood pile has exploded.

 

And I gave them an outworld. I hate trying to feed colonies in test tubes and it keeps the test tube cleaner longer.

[RushmoreAnts]

Is this species necessarily as fast growing as other Tetramorium? Those queens look a little smaller and less productive to me (that is true with many polygynous species).