3 replies to this topic

[Kanye2020]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Iowa
2. Date of collection: 8/21/2021
3. Habitat of collection: Park/Forest
4. Length (from head to gaster):7mm (The space between lines on that notebook are 7mm)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Light Brown all around but 2 rings towards end of gaster that are more orange/lightbrown
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Nothing really stands out to me.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Nothing really stands out to me.
8. Nest description: Unable to find nest.

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Likely the day prior or the day of finding due to heavy rain and then heat. So 8/20/2021 (potentially)

 

 

[Kanye2020]

Also I did get rid of the mites that you can see on her in the picture.

My personal guess is Novomessor or Aphaenogaster. 

[CheetoLord02]

Definitely an Aphaenogaster queen; possibly A. rudis. Nice find, this genus is a fun one.

[OiledOlives]

A more accurate answer would be A. fulva-rudis-texana complex. Aphaenogaster in the north is more commonly the darker A. picea rather than A. rudis, but you will need much better pictures than this one to confirm (fulva-rudis-texana complex is quite messy as well, making identification difficult)