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Group of 4 poly queens - Arizona - 8-27-2020

Started By Luke_in_AZ , Aug 27 2020 8:41 PM

Best Answer CheetoLord02 , August 27 2020 - 11:00 PM

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.

This variety is often polygynous. S. xyloni in general can be polygynous, I'm not sure where you heard that from.

I personally wouldn't separate since xyloni grows quickly and you don't need 4 xyloni colonies haha.

This is the black variant of S. xyloni, which I find to be more often polygynous than not. I personally have a 2 queen colony with around 15,000 workers and no signs of stopping. Note that they are not polygynous 100% of the time, but they do appear to be polygynous more often than the normal red and black variant is. I have personally uncovered at least 4 polygynous colonies under rocks in the winter.

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted August 27 2020 - 8:41 PM

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LocationGilbert, Arizona

1. Location (on a map) of collection:

Gilbert, AZ

2. Date of collection:

August 18th

9. Nuptial flight time and date:

August 18th

They've made a huge pile of eggs! Thanks for your input!

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#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 27 2020 - 8:47 PM

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LocationOrange County, California

Looks like dark form Solenopsis xyloni. They will likely be killed off to just one queen later on in the colony's life.

Edited by NickAnter, August 27 2020 - 8:47 PM.

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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 Manitobant - Posted August 27 2020 - 9:01 PM

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LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.

Luke_in_AZ likes this

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#4 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted August 27 2020 - 9:05 PM

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LocationGilbert, Arizona

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.

Good to know, thanks!

#5 Offline Somethinghmm - Posted August 27 2020 - 9:21 PM

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LocationSouthern California

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.

This variety is often polygynous. S. xyloni in general can be polygynous, I'm not sure where you heard that from.

I personally wouldn't separate since xyloni grows quickly and you don't need 4 xyloni colonies haha.

Edited by Somethinghmm, August 27 2020 - 9:26 PM.

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#6 Offline CheetoLord02 - Posted August 27 2020 - 11:00 PM Best Answer

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LocationMesa, AZ

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.

This variety is often polygynous. S. xyloni in general can be polygynous, I'm not sure where you heard that from.

I personally wouldn't separate since xyloni grows quickly and you don't need 4 xyloni colonies haha.

Somethinghmm, zantezaint and Luke_in_AZ like this

arthropodantics.com

#7 Offline Manitobant - Posted August 28 2020 - 9:50 AM

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LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Solenopsis xyloni dark form. I would separate them as they aren't polygynous and there won't be much of a growth difference as xyloni are already insanely fast growers.
This variety is often polygynous. S. xyloni in general can be polygynous, I'm not sure where you heard that from.
I personally wouldn't separate since xyloni grows quickly and you don't need 4 xyloni colonies haha.
This is the black variant of S. xyloni, which I find to be more often polygynous than not. I personally have a 2 queen colony with around 15,000 workers and no signs of stopping. Note that they are not polygynous 100% of the time, but they do appear to be polygynous more often than the normal red and black variant is. I have personally uncovered at least 4 polygynous colonies under rocks in the winter.

in that case i would advise him to maybe keep 3 of the queens together and keep one alone to maximize his chances. If the polygyne colony fails, he will still have the monogyne colony.