7 replies to this topic

[Dethundrel]

Was out in the desert tonight looking for scorpions (got ‘em) and while doing so, my daughter picked up a really old clay pigeon to look under it. Instead of our intended quarry, this queen was just coming out of her burrow that she dug under it. Would appreciate any help ID’ing.

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Grand Junction, CO.
2. Date of collection: 7-25-20
3. Habitat of collection: Straight up desert.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Just a touch over 15mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black head and gaster. Thorax is black on top but brown/dark orange underneath to match leg color.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Has quite long hairs on gaster.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Was quite slow when trying to get away after being spotted. Cannot climb glass or plastic even in the slightest.
8. Nest description: Never saw any nests of this type of ant.
9. Nuptial flight time and date: No idea when they flew, this one already had a burrow going, not sure how deep or far along she was.

She is a little dusty as the dirt she ran to after being discovered was very powdery.

[NickAnter]

Looks like C. vicinus! Excellent find. I'm hoping to find some in two weeks in the sierras.

[TechAnt]

As somebody who keeps them, I am nearly sure that is Campontous vicinus.

Edited by TechAnt, July 26 2020 - 11:34 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Looks like C. vicinus! Excellent find. I'm hoping to find some in two weeks in the sierras.

 

As somebody who keeps them, I am nearly sure that is Campontous Vicinus.

I third this. Also, keep in mind that vicinus (goes for any species) is not capitalized. 

[Dethundrel]

Thanks for the replies!

Of the pictures I’ve looked up of that species, both the queen and workers have a big stalk right in front of their gaster that is a separate structure, this queen does not. I also found a few workers in the area that look very similar to this queen, and none of them have it either.

When looking at the queen pictures on Antwiki, you can clearly see those have it. The mandibles in that picture also do not match the ones on the queen I caught.

Is there a possibility it could be something else?

[TechAnt]

Looks like C. vicinus! Excellent find. I'm hoping to find some in two weeks in the sierras.

 

As somebody who keeps them, I am nearly sure that is Campontous Vicinus.

I third this. Also, keep in mind that vicinus (goes for any species) is not capitalized.

Mis-wrote, let me edit that. I dunno why but I have a habit of capitalizing species name lol.

[RushmoreAnts]

Thanks for the replies!

Of the pictures I’ve looked up of that species, both the queen and workers have a big stalk right in front of their gaster that is a separate structure, this queen does not. I also found a few workers in the area that look very similar to this queen, and none of them have it either.

When looking at the queen pictures on Antwiki, you can clearly see those have it. The mandibles in that picture also do not match the ones on the queen I caught.

Is there a possibility it could be something else?

vicinus have many different color and size variations, ranging from orange, red, all black, black with a little red or orange, etc. Some are polygynous, and some are not. It's a very complex species.

[ponerinecat]

 

Thanks for the replies!

Of the pictures I’ve looked up of that species, both the queen and workers have a big stalk right in front of their gaster that is a separate structure, this queen does not. I also found a few workers in the area that look very similar to this queen, and none of them have it either.

When looking at the queen pictures on Antwiki, you can clearly see those have it. The mandibles in that picture also do not match the ones on the queen I caught.

Is there a possibility it could be something else?

vicinus have many different color and size variations, ranging from orange, red, all black, black with a little red or orange, etc. Some are polygynous, and some are not. It's a very complex species.

 

that's because it's not a single species.

Vicinus is a species complex that has yet to be seperated.