10 replies to this topic

[EEParker]

I was splitting wood today and found this presumed queen with a pile of larva in the bark of a log. The kids wanted me to try capture and raise them, so I ended up here. I've been doing a lot of reading and asking for ID seems to be the first step. Thanks for any advice and ID!

 

There are 3 or 4 workers, some larva and a presumed queen. Queen has much different behavior than the workers and sits on the pile of larva constantly.

 

Title:
1. Location (on a map) of collection: Little Rock, AR USA https://www.google.c...Little Rock, AR
2. Today's date: 6/14/2020
 
Body:
1. Location of collection: Little Rock, AR USA https://www.google.c...Little Rock, AR

2. Date of collection 6/14/2020
3. Habitat of collection: Residental yard, inside bark of firewood log (pecan)(ie: desert scrub, oak forest, riparian, etc.).

4. Length: 6mm for queen, 4 mm worker
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Looks black to eye, more pattern under usb "microscope"
6. Distinguishing characteristics: not sure on this one.
7. Anything else distinctive: workers running crazy when disturbed, queen tries to run then hide
8. Nest description: inside bark of log, lots of tunnels between bark and wood, not much into the wood or bark.

9. Nuptial flight time and date: n/a
10 . Post the clearest pictures possible of the top, side, and face of the ant in question, and if possible, their nest and the habitat they were collected in.

 

 

Queen (angle 1)

 

Queen (angle 2)

 

Worker

 

I included a photo of their relative size to the temporary mason jar they are in for reference.

Edited by EEParker, June 15 2020 - 5:29 AM.

[TechAnt]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

But, I’d like to point out you should follow the format in the pinned messages section of the forum.

It looks like Pheidole, but I don’t know the length so I can’t really give input.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I think those are argentine ants. They could also be Forelius though.

[Aaron567]

Assuming you're in the US, this appears to be Tapinoma sessile.

[ANTdrew]

Not worth keeping, to be honest.

[EEParker]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

But, I’d like to point out you should follow the format in the pinned messages section of the forum.

It looks like Pheidole, but I don’t know the length so I can’t really give input.

 

Thanks for the info, I updated my post to include the details from the pin, I guess I somehow missed that in all my reading.

[Manitobant]

Definitely tapinoma sessile. They are pretty fun to keep, although can be escape artists.

[RushmoreAnts]

Some claim they breed in the nest.

[AntJohnny]

Some claim they breed in the nest.

I found a giant colony of this species in my fire pit that I haven't used this year. They had hundred of males and unfertile Queens. I am waiting for rain for then to fly. If I didn't disturb them enough to move there nest. I might be able to catch a few males and unfertile Queens and see if they mate. I don't know if it would work that way but worth a try. I also found a Formica nest full of queen pupa. It took me awhile to realize what the workers were carrying because how large they were.

[RushmoreAnts]

Some claim they breed in the nest.

I found a giant colony of this species in my fire pit that I haven't used this year. They had hundred of males and unfertile Queens. I am waiting for rain for then to fly. If I didn't disturb them enough to move there nest. I might be able to catch a few males and unfertile Queens and see if they mate. I don't know if it would work that way but worth a try. I also found a Formica nest full of queen pupa. It took me awhile to realize what the workers were carrying because how large they were.

I’m not sure whether they do breed in the nest, however it would be an interesting experiment. I’m trying something similar.

[AntJohnny]

They were gone. I couldn't even find a dead worker. I am excited about the next rain for me tho. I have found quite a few species with reproductives ready to fly. I think if I can catch enough Tapinoma I'll try to start a super colony.