17 replies to this topic

[nurbs]

6-6-2015


Hey everyone! Long time member here. I rarely post because my job keeps me crazy busy. 

 

It's amazing how active this forum has become - which is great! (this forum is so much better than that other place I used to hang at)

 

I generally don't have time to keep journals (currently have a few C. vicinus, P. californicus, C. clarithorax, and an unidentified Camponotus).

 

Anyways, figured I'd start a one with a recently captured Formica I found while hiking this past weekend in the San Gabriel mountains. Pretty sure she is a Formica Moki, but if I am wrong someone please correct me. [CORRECTION: she is Formica francoeuri ]

 

She is wingless, and not even not sure if she is fertile. Compared to my Camponotus, I love how alert and attentive she is when she moves. 

 

 

1. Location of collection:  Bridge to Nowhere Hike, East Fork San Gabriel Mountains.

2. Date of collection:  6-6-2015.

3. Habitat of collection:  Riparian Forest.

4. Length (from head to gaster):  12-16mm? Eyeballed it... between a C. clarithorax queen and C. vicinus

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  Dark brown/reddish hues with black

 

Here are some images. She is really beautiful.

 

I shoot professionally - but you do not need super expensive gear to get decent shots of ants. If any of you have questions regarding photography or gear or setups, just ask! These images were shot on a 50mm lens (non macro) with KENKO extension tubes.

 

I used a desk lamp and a white sheet of paper to reflect the light off the lamp. My room light was also on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by nurbs, June 19 2015 - 10:30 AM.

[dspdrew]

As always, amazing pictures. Are the colors showing up as bright as they should be in those pictures? Based on the colors I can see, and the hair, I'm pretty sure that is actually a Formica francoeuri queen. A few people here, including myself have found quite a few of those this year. They dominate the San Gabriel Mountains in open, sandy areas, and had a big flight about a month ago.

[nurbs]

Thanks Drew just updated the changes. Is there a way to edit the title of this thread?

[Ants4fun]

Click edit on your first post, then click full editor. You should then be able to edit the title as well as your post.

[nurbs]

fixed. thanks!

[nurbs]

Well. That was quick (that's what she said!)

 

 

Edited by nurbs, June 9 2015 - 4:14 AM.

[dspdrew]

Nice. She will probably lay a few more.

[Foogoo]

This species is funny, never hear any mention of it then all of a sudden they have a massive flight this year. I wonder if it's coincidence or something more complicated.

[dspdrew]

This just happened to be the first time I ever caught their flight. I had no idea they flew as early as they did. Most Formica fly a lot earlier.

[nurbs]

She just pooped out another. Three eggs so far.

Edited by nurbs, June 9 2015 - 6:15 PM.

[Mercutia]

So scientific. Pooping out eggs. xD

[Trailandstreet]

I like the colour and the pubescence. It doesn't look very similar to the servoformica I know.

[nurbs]

Small update... she pooped out more eggs. Counted 15.

 

 

Formica francoeuri queen with eggs by John Truong, on Flickr

[nurbs]

Here is one more shot. Here body has this interesting textured sheen when put up against sunlight.

 

I have seen other Formicas in the area where she was found which are distinctly red and black, and also ones that are mostly black. While she does have tints of red/brown on here, she is mostly black.

 

 

Formica francoeuri queen by John Truong, on Flickr

[nurbs]

 

The Lonely Formica by John Truong, on Flickr

Edited by nurbs, June 19 2015 - 7:48 AM.

[nurbs]

So a few days ago she finally got two workers.

 

I had her originally in a basic test tube setup. She would lay eggs but would also keep eating all of them. This species is just crazy sensitive to light and movement, and she appeared to have a hard time settling.

 

I then placed her in a new test tube setup with with some dirt, and she appears to be doing much better. I still try not to disturb her too much. I only have one of this species, so I want her to succeed.

 

Edited by nurbs, August 8 2015 - 5:01 PM.

[dspdrew]

The ones I have in dirt boxes are doing WAY better than any of the ones I have in test tubes.

[StopSpazzing]

Hey Nurbs, mind if I use these images on the wiki? All rights will still belong to you ofcourse.

https://www.antkeepi...mica_francoeuri