7 replies to this topic

[BugFinder]

the video quality is poor so it's hard to see the animals clearly, but this doesn't look like nuptial ant activity to me, looks like termite activity.  What do you guys think?  Ants?

[drtrmiller]

You should embed the video in the post.  Just copy the URL.

 

Those are ants.

 

Different species of ants perform nuptial flights somewhat differently.  With fire ants, for example, workers open up holes in the mound and swarm excitedly, as if disturbed—to ward off any would-be predators.  Other species are more relaxed.

Edited by drtrmiller, June 14 2015 - 10:03 AM.

[Myrmicinae]

Ants, no doubt.  These appear to be Tetramorium caespitum.

[BugFinder]

How can you tell that Myrmicinae?

[WeatherAnt]

Ants, no doubt.  These appear to be Tetramorium caespitum.

 

Agree and they look like Tetramorium to me. But too blurry to be sure. If you can get a clearer shot, it would be helpful. 

Edited by WeatherAnt, June 14 2015 - 7:51 PM.

[Myrmicinae]

How can you tell that Myrmicinae?

 

General body shape.  Most importantly, ants have a narrow waste, while the abdomen and thorax of termites are more or less merged.

[BugFinder]

Yeah I know how to tell ants from termites, but I was wondering how you ID'd the species of ant.

 

thanks,

[Gregory2455]

Well, within three seconds into the video I could distinguish two different sizes of the individuals so that alone points to ants most of the time, as termite alates are usually the same size no matter if they are male or female.