3 replies to this topic

[WeatherAnt]

Hello all,

 

This species of Formica has been flying in the area lately and I've been wondering what they are exactly. I took a picture and then a video of one of their nuptial flights ... hopefully this is enough information to positively ID them. 

 

Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota

Size: Medium for Formica, I suppose. I haven't measured them yet ... but I can do that tomorrow for more info. I'd place them at 5-6 mm 

Appearance: See picture and video. They are a dull gray and light brown mix. They are in the fusca group with a silvery sheen.

Nesting: Smallish nests with only a few entrances. Most are smaller in area than a square foot. Nests in open areas in suburban setting. 

Behavior: Active foragers during the daylight hours. Nuptial flight in the late evening after 8 pm. 

 

Image:

 

Video: 

[nurbs]

Interesting! They look very similar to F. subpolita here in socal (Drew ID'ed the ones I found as F. subpolita)

 

The red legs on the female alate are very similar to what I have in the pic below. They also have that shiny gastor.

 

I don't know much about ant ID in your area to know for sure though. I do know that F. subpolita here will probably fly this weekend.

 

 

[Crystals]

Nice video.

There are quite a few species in the fusca group.

If you can get a good closeup of the face and side, like antweb, we can narrow it down a lot more.

 

I have seen the first alates in nests around here, but none of the fusca group have flown in my location yet.

[dspdrew]

Interesting! They look very similar to F. subpolita here in socal (Drew ID'ed the ones I found as F. subpolita)

 

The red legs on the female alate are very similar to what I have in the pic below. They also have that shiny gastor.

 

I don't know much about ant ID in your area to know for sure though. I do know that F. subpolita here will probably fly this weekend.

 

These are shiny, but I can tell it's hair that is shining. I think these are in a different group than F. subpolita.