Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Southern Oregon (7/7/2024)


  • Please log in to reply
3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline nick2253 - Posted July 7 2024 - 10:57 PM

nick2253

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • LocationMedford, OR, USA

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.

 

PXL_20240708_051245284.jpg

PXL_20240708_051254738.jpg

PXL_20240708_051559733.jpg

PXL_20240708_052000538.jpg

 


  • TacticalHandleGaming likes this

#2 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted July 8 2024 - 4:56 AM

Mettcollsuss

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,767 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Nylanderia male



#3 Offline nick2253 - Posted July 8 2024 - 3:38 PM

nick2253

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • LocationMedford, OR, USA

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.



#4 Offline TacticalHandleGaming - Posted July 8 2024 - 3:49 PM

TacticalHandleGaming

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 743 posts
  • LocationOregon

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.  


Currently kept species

L. neoniger, P. occidentalis, C. modoc, C. novaeboracensis, C. vicinus, T. immigrans, A. occidentalis, S. molesta, P. imparis, M. kennedyi, M semirufus, F. pacifica, P. californica, M. ergatogyna.

 

Previously kept species

T. rugatulus, B. depilis.

 

Looking for

Myrmecocystus pyramicus, Myrmecocystus testaceus

Pheidole creightoni, Pheidole inquilina, Crematogaster coarctata, Crematogaster mutans

My youtube channel.  My ant Etsy store - Millennium Ants





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users