Date: May, 10th, 2024.
Habitat: These queens were caught running across a tree in a park, I would consider it an open woodland.
Size: ~15 millimeters on the largest queen (who was used for the images.)
Color: Thorax and most of the head is scarlet, the larger queen was slightly darker but only by a shade or two. Front of the head and mandibles is a darker red, with the mandibles especially being a very dark brown. The gaster/abdomen is black and somewhat shiny.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Legs are long and slender, eyes are placed back at the top of the head. Antennae point forwards in an "L" shape.
Distinctive Behavior: Queens are fast runners, running faster than most ants I've seen and trying to pick them up, but only in bursts before they begin slowing down again. These queens clean themselves a lot more than my Solenopsis invicta queens, doing it at what seemed like more than once a minute when they are not interacted with. These queens were not hesitant to bite me when provoked, and they probably could have pierced my skin if they bit at the right part.
Nuptial Flight: Queens were caught in the afternoon, around 2 PM, give or take 30 minutes. I am not sure if these queens came from the main nuptial flight though, so this may not be accurate.
Images:
Attached Images
Edited by The_Gaming-gate, May 10 2024 - 1:45 PM.
