4 replies to this topic

[USA2NZ]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Eaglewood Golf Course, 1110 E Eaglewood Loop, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054
2. Date of collection: 05/05/2020
3. Habitat of collection: Lawn bordering mountainous scrub desert
4. Length (from head to gaster): 5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark (almost black) head and gaster, light copper colored thorax.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 1 petiole, 12 antennal segments, no spikes, see pictures for more. 
7. Distinguishing behavior: Seem to prefer to flee instead of attaking.
8. Nest description: Mostly tunnels dug out around bulbed plants, but there is also a small mound. Sandy soil in a garden bed.

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Not a clue, worker ants.

 

I'm trying to learn ant identification (I'm apparently not very good. And Queens... Goodness me, I don't have a clue how to identify them!). I follow the charts, but the end result doesn't look like the ant I have... Can anyone help me?

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[TheMicroPlanet]

Nice pictures! Looks like some kind of Formica.

[NickAnter]

Excellent pictures. I would guess F. neorufibarbis, but I'm not sure.

[TheMicroPlanet]

There are ~58 species of Formica in Utah. This might be hard to ID...

[Canadant]

Those are great photos!