13 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

I’ll start up this thread to document some of the amazing ants I’m observing during a trip to the central highlands of Guatemala. Please chime in with ID suggestions since I’m basically at a total loss here.

Here is my first observation, some sort of Pheidole with a ridiculously huge head. This one was in a cloud forest.

[ANTdrew]

Here are some Atta mexicana, which are very abundant:

[ANTdrew]

Another massive Solenopsis major. This one was 7mm at least.

Edited by ANTdrew, July 1 2023 - 1:06 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Some sort of small, stubby looking Camponotus. Formicines are not that abundant down here.

[Mettcollsuss]

Another massive Pheidole major. This one was 7mm at least.

Solenopsis geminata. It's not quite visible here but Solenopsis have a 2-segmented antennal club while Pheidole have a 3 (or rarely 4) segmented club. The most easily visible difference here should be the petiole shape, Solenopsis and most other solenopsidines have a pretty characteristic petiole. The node of the petiole is taller but somewhat skinny, just about equal in height with the postpetiole. The best I can describe it, the petioles appear to run parallel with themselves.

 

Some sort of small, stubby looking Camponotus. Formicines are not that abundant down here.

The only similar looking species AntWeb lists for Guatemala are species like C. zoc or C. abscisus, though there are some more similar species in nearby regions. I can't really narrow it down to a subgenus since I can't tell how wide the propodeum is; it should be either Myrmobrachys or Myrmaphaenus.

[Manitobant]

I think the pheidole might be fimbriata, the closest relative of P. rhea and interesting from an evolutionary standpoint as the most primitive member of the genus.

Edited by Manitobant, July 1 2023 - 9:34 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Another massive Pheidole major. This one was 7mm at least.

Solenopsis geminata. It's not quite visible here but Solenopsis have a 2-segmented antennal club while Pheidole have a 3 (or rarely 4) segmented club. The most easily visible difference here should be the petiole shape, Solenopsis and most other solenopsidines have a pretty characteristic petiole. The node of the petiole is taller but somewhat skinny, just about equal in height with the postpetiole. The best I can describe it, the petioles appear to run parallel with themselves.

Some sort of small, stubby looking Camponotus. Formicines are not that abundant down here.

The only similar looking species AntWeb lists for Guatemala are species like C. zoc or C. abscisus, though there are some more similar species in nearby regions. I can't really narrow it down to a subgenus since I can't tell how wide the propodeum is; it should be either Myrmobrachys or Myrmaphaenus.

Thanks! You guys are truly amazing. C. zoc looks more like it to me due to head shape. I can try to get more photos of the propodeum.

[ANTdrew]

I found this bellicose beauty floating in a swimming pool. Looks like a large Pheidole queen to me. She is about 7-8mm. Any thoughts?

[antsriondel]

Nice find! Definitely some Pheidole species.

[ANTdrew]

Here’s another photo of those small, flower loving Camponotus:

Edited by ANTdrew, July 2 2023 - 3:28 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I just found this beauty on the steps of our place here in Guatemala:

[Virginian_ants]

What type of queen is she

[ANTdrew]

What type of queen is she

One of the five bajillion Pheidole species??

[Virginian_ants]

Cool!