11 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Jasper, Indiana, U.S.
2. Date of collection: 7/3/2020
3. Habitat of collection: Near a forest / open sandy field
4. Length (from head to gaster): 7 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Shiny Black on all surfaces EXCEPT on the Petiole and on her side (which is a dark red)
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Petiole is red
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: None
9. Nuptial flight time and date: Found late last night at around 11:25 P.M. (Temp. was 75 D. Fahrenheit, Humidity was 75%)

Yes, I realize that Crematogaster lineolata and Crematogaster cerasi are indistinguishable at this level, but I’ve never seen one with a red petiole, so I’m wondering if it’s a different species altogether? Here’s some pictures:

[Broncos]

Deleted

Edited by Broncos, July 4 2020 - 8:01 AM.

[ponerinecat]

Really now 

[FeedTheAnts]

There is nothing unusual about her coloring. Even species that are jet black have varying degrees of red on their body under certain lighting, usually on the head or petiole nodes. It could be Crematogaster ashmeadi, as this is slightly early for cerasi or lineolata to be flying (can someone back me up on this). C. ashmeadi definitely have red on them.

[Broncos]

Really now

Ugh . I had just woken up when I typed that. Gosh dang I need to read titles

[ANTdrew]

Grab on tight; it will be one heck of a ride with these. If your formicaria hold them, they can contain anything.

[Aaron567]

Crematogaster cerasi and lineolata fly during the day, although it wouldn't be impossible to still find a queen wandering at night. I've been seeing their alates about every other day for a few weeks now. Crematogaster ashmeadi is not recorded from your state but that could be due to less ant sampling, and during the summer I get ashmeadi queens at my blacklight at night. Wait until your queen gets workers and then take a closeup of the workers' propodeal spines; if they're long and straight it is C. cerasi/lineolata, but if they're short and stubby then it is ashmeadi. Interestingly your queen's spines look at lot like ashmeadi spines but I think you can only be sure with the workers.

[ANTdrew]

You really need to ID it now. You could get a new state record.

[CatsnAnts]

Crematogaster cerasi and lineolata fly during the day, although it wouldn't be impossible to still find a queen wandering at night. I've been seeing their alates about every other day for a few weeks now. Crematogaster ashmeadi is not recorded from your state but that could be due to less ant sampling, and during the summer I get ashmeadi queens at my blacklight at night. Wait until your queen gets workers and then take a closeup of the workers' propodeal spines; if they're long and straight it is C. cerasi/lineolata, but if they're short and stubby then it is ashmeadi. Interestingly your queen's spines look at lot like ashmeadi spines but I think you can only be sure with the workers.

Good to know! I would also like to point out that I found a single Crematogaster sp. male last night when I found this queen. It was dead near where she was, so there’s a good chance that she had her nuptial flight last night. That would be pretty cool if we had C. ashmeadi around here, we need more diversity in Indiana.

[RushmoreAnts]

I want Crematogaster so bad............ 

[CatsnAnts]

Would it be possible that this is Crematogaster pilosa? It appears that this species is also found in our state.

[madbiologist]

There is nothing unusual about her coloring. Even species that are jet black have varying degrees of red on their body under certain lighting, usually on the head or petiole nodes. It could be Crematogaster ashmeadi, as this is slightly early for cerasi or lineolata to be flying (can someone back me up on this). C. ashmeadi definitely have red on them.

 

I have caught Crematogaster cerasi queens on July 5th, and other Ohioans have caught crematogaster queens up to a week earlier, although their collections haven't been confirmed as cerasi or another species yet. Considering CatsnAnts is in Southern Indiana, we can't rule out Crematogaster pilosa eiher. I would wait till she has nanitics and get one of them under a microscope for pictures when they begin to have deaths.

Edited by madbiologist, July 7 2020 - 6:19 AM.