3 replies to this topic

[nick2253]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Medford, Oregon, on my bathroom sink
2. Date of collection: 7/7/2024
3. Habitat of collection: Man-made structure
4. Length (from head to gaster):2-3mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Light to dark brown. Thorax lighter than head or gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Very small
7. Distinguishing behavior:  Skittish and fast, almost frantic, unlike any alate I've ever seen
8. Nest description: Unknown

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Unknown, presumable 7/7/24

 

I found this ant wandering around my bathroom sink.  At first glance, due to the skitish/frantic behavior, I just assumed it was a worker.  As I leaned in for a better look, I realized it had wings, which made me think it was some kind of wasp or ant mimic.  I grabbed it in a test tube and put my loop to it, and now I'm pretty sure it's an ant.  It could be a male, but I'm still curious what species it is.  It's exceptionally small, and it's dang hard to photograph.  I can possibly take some better pictures with some sunshine tomorrow.

 

Initial guesses are some kind of Brachymyrmex male, but the proportions don't quite look right for either a male or female.

 

 

[Mettcollsuss]

Nylanderia male

[nick2253]

I was prepared to disagree with you, seeing as there isn't a documented specimen in Oregon in the AntWeb data, but after looking at pictures and measurements, and taking a gander through the identification keys, I'm almost certain you're right.  I can't quite pin down the species, but I've found a dead male, and I'll go through the keys more rigorously.

[TacticalHandleGaming]

I was prepared to disagree with you, seeing as there isn't a documented specimen in Oregon in the AntWeb data, but after looking at pictures and measurements, and taking a gander through the identification keys, I'm almost certain you're right.  I can't quite pin down the species, but I've found a dead male, and I'll go through the keys more rigorously.

 

I've found some interesting species down in your area. I would not be surprised if more California species are present there than most people realize.