18 replies to this topic

[mantisgal]

So, a couple weeks ago I noted a large gathering of very red alates with super skinny gasters. Shortly after noting this, I wondered if I would see a queen. I saw a large black and russet ant moseying along and tubed her. She has laid eggs and is in fact a queen. She is a very nice blackened colour with a small russet area on her underside. Gaster is quite oval with pronounced plate edges. I hope to figure out pics soon.
TL; DR:
Flight date: Late July
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Description: approx 1 cm, 12+ eggs so far after a couple weeks of being chambered at room temp, no AC. Black everything with russet underside. Oval gaster. Did I catch a Camponotus? Seems fast for that and too small I think.

Edited by mantisgal, August 5 2021 - 11:47 AM.

[Manitobant]

We need a picture.

[AntBoi3030]

It could be aphenogaster but there no telling without a photo.

[mantisgal]

I KNOW I AM SORRY I WORK ON IT

Thank you for the guess, though, I will look them up.

[mantisgal]

I forgot to state they were found in the midst of a grassy area if that helps (I know it doesn't help as much as a pic but it's what I have rn). Should I fail completely here I'll wait to see what workers look like 🤔

[Manitobant]

Why make an ID request when you haven’t taken any pics?

Also, posting pics on FC is quite easy. Upload them to the gallery on mobile and then switch to PC and insert them into your post with the “my media” tab.

Edited by Manitobant, August 5 2021 - 9:29 AM.

[mantisgal]

Durr. Ok I'll go bother her and see if I can do the thing. If I can, expect many photos of other ants too.

[mantisgal]

K who dis? I did try to tilt her (GENTLY! I was careful of her treasure of eggs!) to get a pic of her underside but she was very much against the idea, but she does have a bit of a lighter patch on her underside

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Edited by mantisgal, August 5 2021 - 11:39 AM.

[Antkeeper01]

lasius maybe?

[NickAnter]

Lasius sp. Can't ID niger group Lasius to species without looking at them under the microscope.

[mantisgal]

Oh wild. Does this mean she's a slaver?

Edited by mantisgal, August 5 2021 - 1:25 PM.

[GreekAnts]

Oh wild. Does this mean she's a slaver?

if she was social parasite she wouldn't lay eggs on her own and her head would be bigger than her thorax

Edited by GreekAnts, August 5 2021 - 1:26 PM.

[mantisgal]

Oh good because I was not ready for a parasitic colony. I appreciate the clarification, thanks!

[AntBoi3030]

What do you mean super skinny gastor and red XD

[Kaelwizard]

What do you mean super skinny gastor and red XD

"So, a couple weeks ago I noted a large gathering of very red alates with super skinny gasters. Shortly after noting this, I wondered if I would see a queen. I saw a large black and russet ant moseying along and tubed her."

 

That was a different species.

[AntBoi3030]

Ops! My bad

[mantisgal]

I was actually assuming they were male alates from the way they were all dying.

I tried to take some better stills from the video taken. Perhaps it helps narrow down spp taken with the possible relevant males present?

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Edited by mantisgal, August 7 2021 - 9:08 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Like Nick said, you’ll probably need a microscope and as far as I know Lasius don’t have red male alates.

[mantisgal]

Oh okay thank you for the information, I didn't realize the boys were the giveaway. I now wonder whose Man they were