We're back to ask for help again in identifying some ants.
We found quite a menagerie of ants on my friend's front patio/driveway today. We spent the day there and found at least six different species of ant wandering across the concrete.
We found two species that I didn't feel I could identify on my own. Here is one of those.
I believe this is a Camponotus species. It's a big ant. Definitely the biggest I've ever seen. I'm not sure if that means it's a major, or if this is just how big Camponotus can be. When I first saw her, being so large, I was excited to have found what I figured must be a Camponotus queen. But once I got her in the collection vial, it became clear to me that this was no queen.
FIRST-Where collected? United States in Franktown, Colorado (southeast of Denver on the Palmer Divide at about 6350 feet).
SECOND-Habitat of collection? On a concrete patio in front of the house on a pretty much treeless prairie hill. The area is surrounded by Ponderosa Pine forest though.
THIRD-Coloration, hue and pattern? Black head. Black gaster. Orange/red body and legs.
FOURTH-Distinguishing characteristics? Single segment in waist, which is somewhat tall, round, and pressed close to the gaster. Slightly trapezoidal head, longer than it is wide, slightly broader than the gaster. Mid size, black eyes. They are wide-spread, but on top of the head. They do not break the silhouette of the head. Distinct vertical grooves running up and down from the antenna on the face. Light colored standing hairs throughout. Flattened scapes. Four very distinct teeth on the mandibles. The rounded back of the mesosoma made me think of a Myrmecos post I recently read about telling the difference between Formica and Camponotus. I think I count twelve antenna segments, but I always struggle with the tips.
FIFTH-Length in millimeters? 13 mm in length.
SIXTH-Anything else distinctive? Decent climber. Somewhat fast gait. Not at all happy about being captured.
Pictures: http://imgur.com/a/9IwWv
Thanks, as always, for your assistance.
Tory Netherton
Edited by Telarian, July 26 2015 - 6:35 AM.
