9 replies to this topic

[myrmecophile]

Thanks in advance!

1. Location of collection: my backyard, which is located in Everett, WA (~20 north of Seattle).
2. Date of collection: May 17 2015
3. Habitat of collection: It's a mossy area that had random ground cover, pine cones, and a few stepping stones. The only other ants I've found in this area are Camponotus.
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Main color is orangeish brown. Gaster is darker in the middle and is light at the bottom..shiny. Golden hairs all over.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Propodeal spines
7. Anything else distinctive:
8. Nest description:

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Edited by myrmecophile, July 18 2015 - 7:11 PM.

[Jonathan21700]

Myrmica sp.

[Ants4fun]

Possibly Myrmica rubra...

[Myrmicinae]

Definitely Myrmica.  Queens of this genus are semi-claustral, i.e., they need to forage during the founding stage.

Edited by Myrmicinae, June 1 2015 - 2:13 PM.

[myrmecophile]

Thanks!!

I'd like to figure out the species if at all possible. Can anyone tell from the picture(s) how many antennal segments she has?

It could be M. Rubra. According to AntWiki there are 4 species of Myrmica in Washington - M. brevispinosa, M. crassirugus, M. incompleta and M. rubra. (Edit: Apparently M. specioides is also found here.)

I can try to post better pictures if that would help to identify the species. Any other tips for Myrmica are much appreciated, as I'm new to ant keeping. 😊

Edited by myrmecophile, June 1 2015 - 3:57 PM.

[Mercutia]

Myrmica in your area are very hard to pin down to the exact species. They all look very similiar and without intense close ups (via microscope), effectively distinguishing the exact species will be too difficult and imprecise.

[myrmecophile]

Myrmica in your area are very hard to pin down to the exact species. They all look very similiar and without intense close ups (via microscope), effectively distinguishing the exact species will be too difficult and imprecise.

 

Thanks for the info, Mercutia.   

[Crystals]

You are just south of BC, Canada, so there are likely more than 7 species of Myrmica found in that area.

You will need extreme closeup pictures of the face, side and top - just like antweb has.

 

Here are Myrmica found in BC: https://www.antweb.o...ishcolumbiaants

Top right hand corner has a "Browse images by" function to toggle between the views.

 

The ridges on the face are a good way to narrow down the field right off the bat.

[myrmecophile]

Thank you, Crystals! That site will help me quite a bit I'm sure.

It sounds like the general consensus is that I need more detailed pictures to identify the species. I will post some as soon as I'm able to!

[myrmecophile]

Hey guys! The queen above died a few weeks ago, however I caught another one in the same vicinity... they look very similar so I'm convinced they are the same species.

I hope these pictures will help. Let me know your thoughts.

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