8 replies to this topic

[nurbs]

Location: Crystal Lake, Azusa, CA

Habitat: High altitude forest in mountain, about 4000ft

Coloration: Black with small hints of reddish/brown

Size: About 12-16mm, 3/4 inch?

 

Found this worker Camponotus while hiking at Crystal Lake. Largest I have seen. For size comparison I put her next to my colony of Pogonomyrmex (which, BTW, are doing very well). 

 

 

 

 

Edited by nurbs, January 12 2014 - 3:15 AM.

[dspdrew]

Since you said there's hints of redish brown, I bet that's Camponotus vicinus. I think you might need a good close-up picture of the face though to be sure.

[nurbs]

Yeah you can see the little hints of red in her legs and near the joints, but it is not obvious and noticeable. I'll try and get a better shot of her head.

Edited by nurbs, January 12 2014 - 12:49 PM.

[dspdrew]

Camponotus laevigatus are the large, all black ones that I have found around here according to Dr. Trager, but Mrmacophyl thinks the large, all black ones he has found, I think closer to where you found yours are the all black type of C. vicinus. This is why I am guessing C. vicinus. Hopefully Dr. Trager will chime in.

[nurbs]

Here are the headshots... she died last night.

 

[nurbs]

Am looking at all the headshot on antweb for Camponotus in CA and can't seem to find a match.

[nurbs]

Here is the habitat I found her in:

 

 

 

Edited by nurbs, January 14 2014 - 12:43 AM.

[James C. Trager]

Camponotus quercicola. Very sparse dorsal pilosity, shiny black, lack of clypeal median carina, and forest habitat are the indicators.

[nurbs]

Camponotus quercicola. Very sparse dorsal pilosity, shiny black, lack of clypeal median carina, and forest habitat are the indicators.

You da man.