10 replies to this topic

[AntCzar]

Very tiny black ants. About 1mm per worker, MAYBE 2mm but that is pushing it. They are ALWAYS around the Solenopsis but rarely aggressive towards them. They spray acid when they do get aggressive. It appears that they come in and out of the same hole as the Solenopsis. In Menifee, California. I am wondering if this is some kind of parasitic species.

[wook]

I suspect "Argentine ants", but they do not spray acid AFAIK.

[dspdrew]

Almost sounds like Monomorium maybe. Are you sure they're spraying acid? Can you look and see how many petiole nodes they have, that would be the first step?

[AntCzar]

Man. These are so small. I've talked to you about these ones before hehehe 

 

They live on my front porch amongst a colony of Solenopsis Xyloni

 

Definitely not Argentines - I know what those look like

 

I will try to look with a freaking microscope if I have to and post back here again 

[dspdrew]

I will try to look with a freaking microscope if I have to and post back here again 

Perfect! That should solve this once and for all.

[Anhzor]

brachymyrmex?

[dspdrew]

brachymyrmex?

If they really are spraying acid I think that would probably be the only guess.

[AntCzar]

They're definitely spraying something. They would run circles around the Solenopsis major arching the gasters upwards and to the side and spray and the Solenopsis died a slow and obviously painful death. lol

 

Drew has a specimen now at least

[wook]

Well, Dolichoderinae "sprays" something out of their gasters too, but not formic acid. I am not sure about any Formicinae that raise gasters upwards except Cataglyphis.

[dspdrew]

Nine antennal segments. They're Brachymyrmex.

 

 

 

[wook]

Good work drew!