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Tiny orange queens MA


Best Answer NickAnter , August 26 2020 - 9:05 AM

Solenopsis molesta, and those look like the heads of Solenopsis molesta on her, not mites.

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#1 Offline SabbyMae - Posted August 26 2020 - 8:51 AM

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I was in my back yard looking under rocks for some Ponera to keep with the one I found yesterday. I did not find anymore Ponera. But I did find a bunch of Lasius and these orange queens.

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Fitchburg MA
2. Date of collection: August 26, 2020 12:00pm
3. Habitat of collection: Under a rock in my back yard.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 4-5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Yellow stripes. Deep orange-red.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: One has some sort of mite on each front leg.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Can climb glass.
8. Nest description: Under a rock. No brood yet. Assuming it was starting a founding chamber when I found it.

9. Nuptial flight time and date: N/A

10. Images:

20200826_124051.jpg 20200826_123841.jpg 20200826_123906.jpg 20200826_123849.jpg

 

Also, if you happen to have an idea of what kind of mites these are, that'd be great.


Edited by SabbyMae, August 26 2020 - 8:51 AM.


#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 26 2020 - 9:05 AM   Best Answer

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Solenopsis molesta, and those look like the heads of Solenopsis molesta on her, not mites.


  • gcsnelling, CheetoLord02, Somethinghmm and 1 other like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 


#3 Offline SabbyMae - Posted August 26 2020 - 9:07 AM

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Oh wow. So does that mean there was another colony nearby that she got too close to?



#4 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 26 2020 - 9:10 AM

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Probably.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 


#5 Offline SabbyMae - Posted August 26 2020 - 9:12 AM

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I'm just imagining her wearing the heads of her victims as shoulder pads... Lol






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