16 replies to this topic

[RanchHand]

Sorry for the newbie question, but what the heck do I have here?  Brazos Valley, Texas.  My limited internet searching came up with possibly funnel ants or pyramid ants.  Their appearance kind of fits the description but none of the mounds they show were anywhere near as trumpet shaped as this one.

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[VoidElecent]

Dorymyrmex spp., Pryamid ants, tend to make mounds like this. Photographs of the ants would help.

[RushmoreAnts]

Interesting structure. It shows the amazing architectural abilities ants can have.

[RanchHand]

Dorymyrmex spp., Pryamid ants, tend to make mounds like this. Photographs of the ants would help.

I will get some photos tomorrow.  I don't have much of a macro lens but I'll see what I can do.

[gcsnelling]

More likely this is a Lasius species ( my yard is full of them right now), however this sort of structure is not uncommon for a number of smaller species in the early spring when the soil is still damp. It is not so much architectural ability as it is soil particles sticking together due to moisture levels.

Edited by gcsnelling, April 21 2020 - 3:17 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Did you give in and destroy it.....

[RushmoreAnts]

I once came across a Lasius nest that was two or three inches high, and as much as six across. Many times larger than most others,

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I think that's Mycetomoellerius turrifex, a type of fungus growing ant found in Texas. They make weird mounds like that one.

I could be wrong though.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I think that's Mycetomoellerius turrifex, a type of fungus growing ant found in Texas. They make weird mounds like that one.

I could be wrong though.

Not a Mycetomoellerius mound, though that was my original though too. Mycetomoellerius turrifex mounds do not splay out at the top like this, instead being a near perfect tube. On top of that, a mound of soil is always present in large Mycetomoellerius colonies outside of the turret, usually similar to the mounds of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis but more sloppy.

[RanchHand]

Thanks for all of the information folks.  Well, like I said, I don't have much of a macro lens.  This is the best I could do.

 

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Edited by RanchHand, April 22 2020 - 10:47 AM.

[NickAnter]

Looks like Dorymyrmex to me.

[TennesseeAnts]

Dorymyrmex.

[RushmoreAnts]

I concur.

[gcsnelling]

Dorymyrmex  does appear to be the culprit in this case.

[dspdrew]

I see mounds like that often after it rains.

[RanchHand]

Thanks for the discussion folks. So maybe that unusual shape has more to do with the rain and soil conditions than to a specific species?

[gcsnelling]

Thanks for the discussion folks. So maybe that unusual shape has more to do with the rain and soil conditions than to a specific species?

Yes to a great degree this is true.