16 replies to this topic

[cooIboyJ]

I have two species of ant that I would like to have IDed.


1. I think this is a Camponotus but I’m not sure on that or what the species is. Size: 13-16 millimeters

2. I’m pretty sure that this is a Solenopsis xyloni or invicta but I’m not sure. Size: around 10-12 milliliters (Sorry for any bad pics)

Edited by cooIboyJ, August 19 2024 - 3:01 PM.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Can you use the ID template please or at least give a location?

[cooIboyJ]

Can you use the ID template please or at least give a location?

sorry for not providing enough information but I found the queens in west Henderson NV

[Artisan_Ants]

First one is probably C. nearcticus or Campontous nearcticus. The second one is more likely S. invicta but we would need a good clear pic of clypeal teeth to differ from (basically small points below the mandibles) to differ from S. xyloni as well as less blurry photos (as mentioned). 

[cooIboyJ]

I’m pretty sure it’s S. invicta because my brother has kept S. xyloni before and this queen is bigger and it’s abdomen is darker.

[OiledOlives]

The first is a Crematogaster queen; note the head shape and how the postpetiole attaches to the gaster dorsally.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

The first is a Crematogaster queen; note the head shape and how the postpetiole attaches to the gaster dorsally.

I second this.

[cooIboyJ]

The first is a Crematogaster queen; note the head shape and how the postpetiole attaches to the gaster dorsally.

do you know what species? This being Crematogaster makes more since because when I heard it could be Camponotus nearcticus I looked at some journals and all of the queens in the journals had a different coloration.

Edited by cooIboyJ, August 20 2024 - 6:38 AM.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

It is hard to id the specific species without proper photos.

[cooIboyJ]

Also what is the common name for crematogaster? And are they easy to keep? Are they rare? Because in other journals people say they are so lucky when they find crematogaster. So I want to know if I got a good find. Btw I have three of these queens.

Edited by cooIboyJ, August 20 2024 - 7:25 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Also what is the common name for crematogaster? And are they easy to keep? Are they rare? Because in other journals people say they are so lucky when they find crematogaster. So I want to know if I got a good find. Btw I have three of these queens.

Crematogaster are sometimes referred to as "acrobat ants" since they can jump short distances, or "St. Valentine ants" since some species' gasters resemble hearts. Although we on FC rarely use common names. Most common species are easy to keep. They're hardy and fast-growing, I've kept cerasi before and they were amazing. They're a pretty common and widespread genus, it's just they're usually drawn to forested areas and are rare elsewhere. I would assume it's different in arid Nevada, and that queen isn't a temperate species, so I wouldn't know exactly, but based off of their overall genus they should perform well if they're mated and genetically fit, just like any other species. The fact you have three greatly increases your chances of having a successful colony.

[Mettcollsuss]

Crematogaster are sometimes referred to as "acrobat ants" since they can jump short distances [...]

I haven't heard of any jumping ability in Crematogaster before, do you have any references for this? I believe the common name "acrobat ants" comes from their ability to and habit of raising their gasters up and forward, much more than most other ants are able to.

[cooIboyJ]

Crematogaster are sometimes referred to as "acrobat ants" since they can jump short distances [...]

I haven't heard of any jumping ability in Crematogaster before, do you have any references for this? I believe the common name "acrobat ants" comes from their ability to and habit of raising their gasters up and forward, much more than most other ants are able to.

that’s what I thought too.

[RushmoreAnts]

 

Crematogaster are sometimes referred to as "acrobat ants" since they can jump short distances [...]

I haven't heard of any jumping ability in Crematogaster before, do you have any references for this? I believe the common name "acrobat ants" comes from their ability to and habit of raising their gasters up and forward, much more than most other ants are able to.

 

Oh that's probably it, I think I got it confused with an article I once read about jumping spiders that mimic Crematogaster. My bad.

The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider | Afribary

Edited by RushmoreAnts, August 21 2024 - 7:44 AM.

[cooIboyJ]

Also, I’m starting to think that the Solenopsis might actually be Solenopsis amblychila because I saw some pictures of them and they look almost exactly like my queens, tho I don’t know about size.

[bmb1bee]

Also, I’m starting to think that the Solenopsis might actually be Solenopsis amblychila because I saw some pictures of them and they look almost exactly like my queens, tho I don’t know about size.

Solenopsis amblychila are parasitic and require host workers to found. Since your queen seems to have made it to larvae/pupae without workers, there is almost no way for it to be S. amblychila. The photo is far too blurry for us to reach a positive ID, not to mention the lighting. I personally think it's just Solenopsis xyloni, but until further pictures are provided, we cannot be certain.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

 

Also, I’m starting to think that the Solenopsis might actually be Solenopsis amblychila because I saw some pictures of them and they look almost exactly like my queens, tho I don’t know about size.

Solenopsis amblychila are parasitic and require host workers to found. Since your queen seems to have made it to larvae/pupae without workers, there is almost no way for it to be S. amblychila. The photo is far too blurry for us to reach a positive ID, not to mention the lighting. I personally think it's just Solenopsis xyloni, but until further pictures are provided, we cannot be certain.

 

I second this. I also just caught a S.xyloni alate.