10 replies to this topic

[Tai_pan1]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: coastal South Carolina

2. Date of collection: 6/13/22
3. Habitat of collection: suburban yard
4. Length (from head to gaster): 9-10 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: head and thorax reddish brown, gaster yellow and black
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 2130 hours using a black light.

I found two of these last night.  

Attached Images

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[Mettcollsuss]

Colobopsis

[Tai_pan1]

Colobopsis

Mississippi entomological museum doesn’t list any Colobopsis species native to SC, although antwiki shows Colobopsis mississipiensis in SC.  Hmmm

Edited by Tai_pan1, June 14 2022 - 7:16 AM.

[Manitobant]

Antweb does though, and so does antmaps.

Edited by Manitobant, June 14 2022 - 7:16 AM.

[ANTdrew]

There are certainly Colobopsis down there.

[Tai_pan1]

How long did it take for you all to become so efficient at identifying ant species?  I am completely lost and it seems that every time I catch something new I am so far off base in identifying it.  

[OiledOlives]

Colobopsis impressa

[Tai_pan1]

Colobopsis impressa

Any tips on care?

Edited by Tai_pan1, June 14 2022 - 8:17 AM.

[OiledOlives]

Our colobopsis have pretty terrible founding rates, but I would put them together and hope for the best. Some people like using tubes with a very small diameter and having cork or wood in the tube but I haven't really noticed a big difference.

[DarkCerebral]

Our colobopsis have pretty terrible founding rates, but I would put them together and hope for the best. Some people like using tubes with a very small diameter and having cork or wood in the tube but I haven't really noticed a big difference.

I have recently found on of these as well and have her in a tighter tube stup with insert. FIngers crossed.

[Aaron567]

Definitely Colobopsis impressa. Individual queens only get about 2-4 nanitics each, so it can be tricky to really get a colony going with only one queen. Raising them in groups of 3+ works best; I've even reared them with as many as 6 or 7 queens together with no problems. They aren't polygynous but are peaceful with each other for at least a few months. I've always reared Colobopsis queens just like I've done ever other average claustral species, just a typical 18 mm diameter test tube, and have had similar success rates ("success" being defined as rearing nanitics) to Camponotus queens. They can be finicky with protein and tend to lay eggs in periodical batches, and this overall makes their colonies not so easy to grow.