14 replies to this topic

[Ant982345]

Any idea if this is a Queen or have we imprisoned a poor little worker?! Pretty sure she's myrmica species. Very lovely little ant, really hope she's a queen! Any help gratefully received as we are new to ant keeping.

1. Location (on a map) of collection: North Herfordshire in the South East UK

2. Date of collection: Tuesday 3rd September 2024

3. Habitat of collection: Beside grass fields

4. Length (from head to gaster):my son thinks 6mm, I think 7mm.

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Browny red

6. Distinguishing characteristics: very pretty

7. Distinguishing behavior: has eaten sugar water, bits of fruit fly

8. Nest description: unsure

9. Nuptial flight time unsure

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[OwlThatLikesAnts]

very very queeeennnnnnnnn

I am so jealous, whenever I find one, a couple hour later she's dead

hope she is fertile! 

[Ant982345]

Oh this is so exciting! Thanks for your reply. It was a really humid morning before we found her and she her wings were gone so we're hoping she has had a nuptial flight. No idea how soon she will lay eggs?

[cooIboyJ]

She looks like some sort of pheidole.

[ANTdrew]

Definitely not Pheidole.

[Barristan]

It is a Myrmica sp. queen but I am not sure what species. It is a little bit late for nuptial flights, even in UK. They are semi-claustral founding, so queens are foraging for food, maybe the queen was doing this before you found her?

Edited by Barristan, September 15 2024 - 11:55 AM.

[cooIboyJ]

Definitely not Pheidole.

Alright then, i'm not the best at ids.

[Barristan]

 

Definitely not Pheidole.

Alright then, i'm not the best at ids.

 

In this case it is quite easy: there are no Pheidole species in the UK

Edited by Barristan, September 15 2024 - 12:10 PM.

[Ant982345]

These are all really helpful thank you for your interesting replies!

It is a Myrmica sp. queen but I am not sure what species. It is a little bit late for nuptial flights, even in UK. They are semi-claustral founding, so queens are foraging for food, maybe the queen was doing this before you found her?

So does this mean she won't lay eggs? Or do we just need to be patient and keep our fingers crossed?!

[Barristan]

These are all really helpful thank you for your interesting replies!

It is a Myrmica sp. queen but I am not sure what species. It is a little bit late for nuptial flights, even in UK. They are semi-claustral founding, so queens are foraging for food, maybe the queen was doing this before you found her?

So does this mean she won't lay eggs? Or do we just need to be patient and keep our fingers crossed?!

 

You can try it, maybe she will found again, but I think she already laid some eggs and was just on search for food outside her nest. It is important to feed her during founding.

[OiledOlives]

Myrmica is correct, and yes, a queen. Species identification is difficult without microscopy.

[Ant982345]

These are all really helpful thank you for your interesting replies!

It is a Myrmica sp. queen but I am not sure what species. It is a little bit late for nuptial flights, even in UK. They are semi-claustral founding, so queens are foraging for food, maybe the queen was doing this before you found her?

So does this mean she won't lay eggs? Or do we just need to be patient and keep our fingers crossed?!

You can try it, maybe she will found again, but I think she already laid some eggs and was just on search for food outside her nest. It is important to feed her during founding.

[Ant982345]

Oh no I feel bad for her now! What's the best thing to do? Should we release her or keep her and care for her? We've been feeding her sugar water and mealworm and fruit fly.

[Ants_Dakota]

Oh no I feel bad for her now! What's the best thing to do? Should we release her or keep her and care for her? We've been feeding her sugar water and mealworm and fruit fly.

That is the best thing to do. I have almost certainly caught Myrmica queens when they were foraging for food. She will lay again as long as you keep up the feeding.

[Ant982345]

Super! I've just replenished her sugar water and given her a little chunk of mealworm and we will keep our fingers crossed now and hope for the best......