15 replies to this topic

[Abbydog]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Cave Creek, AZ
2. Date of collection: 5/25/20
3. Habitat of collection: Desert Scrub
4. Length (from head to gaster): 7 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Orange-Red, small black stripes on gaster 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Fairly large eyes relative to head size 
7. Distinguishing behavior: NA
8. Nest description: NA

9. Nuptial flight time and date: NA

 

Images:

 

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Cave Creek, AZ
2. Date of collection: 5/26/20
3. Habitat of collection: Desert Scrub
4. Length (from head to gaster): 5 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Very dark brown with black gaster 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Very large gaster relative to body size
7. Distinguishing behavior: NA
8. Nest description: NA

9. Nuptial flight time and date: NA

 

Images:

 

 

[VoidElecent]

Beautiful Pheidole sp. Solenopsis sp. and Brachymyrmex patagonicus, I believe.

Edited by VoidElecent, May 27 2020 - 12:25 PM.

[Abbydog]

Beautiful Pheidole sp. and Brachymyrmex patagonicus, I believe.

Thank you for the answer!

[TennesseeAnts]

Beautiful Pheidole sp. and Brachymyrmex patagonicus, I believe.

I disagree on the first queen. She is probably Solenopsis amblychila.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 27 2020 - 10:12 AM.

[NickAnter]

B. patagonicus and S. aurea or amblychila. Definitely not Pheidole.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I think the first one is some kind of Solenopsis. Not sure about the second one Looks like Brachymyrmex.

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, May 27 2020 - 10:18 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I think the first one is some kind of Solenopsis. Not sure about the second one.

It is, as it has a two segmented antenneal club.

[Manitobant]

The first one is solenopsis amblychila. This species is a social parasite of solenopsis xyloni, so you will need to give her xyloni pupae or callows for her to start her colony.

[NickAnter]

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

[Manitobant]

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

both species are social parasites so he will still need xyloni brood.

Edited by Manitobant, May 27 2020 - 11:04 AM.

[gcsnelling]

 

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

both species are social parasites so he will still need xyloni brood.

 

I am curious if you got this info from a publication which confirms (Social parasites) this or if it is still speculation.

Edited by gcsnelling, May 27 2020 - 11:13 AM.

[CheetoLord02]

 

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

both species are social parasites so he will still need xyloni brood.

 

Solenopsis aurea is not parasitic lol. They can also be polygynous, I have a friend with a 14 queen colony.

[TennesseeAnts]

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

both species are social parasites so he will still need xyloni brood.

I am curious if you got this info from a publication which confirms (Social parasites) this or if it is still speculation.

I have not seen anything yet.

[Mdrogun]

 

 

 

You cannot distinguish amblychila from aurea with these images.

both species are social parasites so he will still need xyloni brood.

I am curious if you got this info from a publication which confirms (Social parasites) this or if it is still speculation.

I have not seen anything yet.

 

I am also friends with the guy CheetoLord02 was talking about who has the 14 queen colony. He captured the colony as a colony, so there's no real way for us to know, but I would be highly skeptical that they're parasitic. The queens don't look that abnormal when compared to the typical fully-clasutural Solenopsis spp. queens.

[gcsnelling]

Kinda what I figured.

[Manitobant]

I mean amblychila is almost 100% parasitic. Drew and others only got them to lay after giving them hosts.