10 replies to this topic

[Polyacanthus]

This species is new to me, not sure where to start.

Found on my front porch this afternoon around 4:30pm. It's 84F and sunny today.

Approximately 5mm.

Maybe the long spines give it away?

[T.C.]

Myrmica rubra (?) However off the top of my head I didn't think the queens had spikes like that.

[NicholasP]

Myrmica rubra (?) However off the top of my head I didn't think the queens had spikes like that.

I'd recommend not giving exact species for Myrmica. Myrmica here in the Northern U.S. all look too closely similar to just say it's a species without seeing the microscopic hairs. It is Myrmica though for sure.

[NicholasP]

Also, I need to say this before I forget... Myrmica rubra is not native to Michigan and there are absolutely NO records of them in Michigan. So, I highly doubt it's rubra. It's just another Myrmica species. I found quite a few of them just like that one this year.

[T.C.]

That's why there is a question mark. Myrmica rubra supposedly aren't in WI either but I had one IDed as such. AntMaps can only be so accurate.

[OiledOlives]

Not rubra

[T.C.]

Not rubra

I started to wonder this. Any ideas? I searched antwiki with no hope. Maybe Gordon will pop in.

[Polyacanthus]

Thanks, that gives me a start. Going through some internet info it looks like maybe something similar to M. incompleta. Maybe she'll found a colony and I can analyze further.

[OiledOlives]

 

Not rubra

I started to wonder this. Any ideas? I searched antwiki with no hope. Maybe Gordon will pop in.

 

Spine length



@Polyacanthus, you will have more success using a dichotomous key to get species. Care for Myrmica is all pretty similar though so finding out the species doesn't really matter.

[NicholasP]

Raising Myrmica is fairly easy. They're Semi-claustral and usually don't require hibernation but sometimes do. A fruitfly every other day should be enough for the queen until workers come about. Also, I'd advise against a heating cable. Just keep them at 75F and they'll be fine.

[gcsnelling]

Yup, Myrmica I would just leave it at that.