Pheidole carrolli is an extremely rare species endemic to Florida, they are closely related to Pheidole pilifera with their differences being that carrolli is more orange and has (to my knowledge) larger majors. Their nest entrances are usually just holes in the ground with little to no tumuli present. I have found this species relatively abundant in their far northeastern range. They are extremely nocturnal only being active at night or late evening to excavate. I first found out this species was found by me early this year when digging into a Pheidole littoralis colony, i happened to, by chance, partially dig up a carrolli colony finding workers and brood. I had known from a friend they flew from July-August so i then waited...
August, 17, 2023
I was trying to dig up Pheidole littoralis founding chambers when I just to happened to dig up a founding colony of Pheidole carrolli with a single worker
I Knew a single worker most likely wouldn't be enough so i managed to get some pilifera brood from a friend and some wild carrolli workers to boost her with.
August, 26, 2023
The large worker is pilifera, and the smaller workers are boosted carrolli workers.
September, 1st, 2023
Lots of small larvae and still some pilifera brood yet to eclose.
September, 26, 2023
Queen likes to play dead and a sign of a soon to be major.
October, 22, 2023
Heres them today, lots of brood, a major, and a packin seed pile. I'm really exited to see how this colony will turn out as they are very poorly studied and almost never kept.
I also have a photo comparing Pheidole carrolli (left) and Pheidole littoralis (right)
I also have a Pheidole littoralis journal: https://www.formicul...is/#entry233615
Thanks for reading.
Edited by SHmealer, October 22 2023 - 8:22 AM.
