3 replies to this topic

[Izzy]

Found a few ants I wasn't familiar with and wanted to get some IDs to figure out what they might be.

 

First, I found this one yesterday right on the Timpooneke Trail in American Fork, Utah. Elevation was probably around 8,500 feet. They were all red and very active. I'm guessing its some kind of parasitic Formica species?

 

Second, to me this look likes a pavement ant, but I was seeing lots of other worker ants around that did not look like pavement ants, but maybe they were unrelated. I found them at the saddle of Mount Timponogos (11,050 feet elevation) in American Fork, Utah while on a hike. There was some kind of nuptial flight occurring because I saw a ton of these winged alates around and several of them were landing on myself and other members of my party. This one actually stung or bit me and left a small red mark that was a little spicy for a few hours. I found more of them gathering at the summit of Mount Timponogos (11,750 feet elevation) which makes sense as they were probably gathering to the highest location. I was hoping to see some wingless mated queens running around but I didn't and its a very rocky area so I was surprised to see any ants at all.

 

Third, I found this one actually about two months ago in Payson Canyon near Payson, Utah at 6,400 feet elevation. I'm guessing its some kind of Aphaenogaster but I'm not sure I've ever seen them before. I thought Aphaenogaster uinta but they seem to have a orange/red body with a black gaster, where as these have an orange/red abdomen (which doesn't show up very well in this picture).

 

Thanks for your help. Happy to provide further pictures if needed.

Edited by Izzy, August 4 2024 - 10:51 AM.

[UtahAnts]

Nice finds! Timpanogos is a great moutain.

 

First two I'm not too sure - could you get side views?

 

1st image: If I were to guess of the top of my head I'd say it's either parasitic formica or a Polyergus mexicanus.

2nd image: I've seen Myrmica at that elevation so that would be my first guess. Could be something else though, it's hard to tell with the wings.

3rd image: Probably Aphaenogaster occidentalis.

 

Edit: Now that I look at it, maybe the second queen could be Leptothorax sp.?

Edited by UtahAnts, August 4 2024 - 12:30 PM.

[OiledOlives]

1. Polyergus
2. agreed with Myrmica

3. agreed with A. occidentalis

[Izzy]

Great, thank you all for your help.

 

I'm definitely in agreement after being able to look at pictures and the keys for these.

 

The first is definitely Polyergus mexicanus and the second is some species of Myrmica. It kills me I couldn't wait around longer to see if I found any mated queens but storms were brewing and I needed to get off the mountain.

 

And of course yes the last is Aphaenogaster occidentalis.

 

All new finds for me so very exciting!