3 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

I have my one Pogonomyrmex queen that I never did get a definite ID for, so I figured I would try again, I collected her in Utah last summer right outside of Moab, right after about a day and a half of on and off rain/thunderstorms, originally I thought she was Occidentalis, and I’m still pretty sure she is but I wanted to get a definite ID, she is about 8–10 mm long.

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[ReignofRage]

It is very likely that the queen is P. occidentalis. There is the slight chance it is P. salinus, but that doesn't seem likely.

Edited by ReignofRage, Yesterday, 4:50 PM.

[1tsm3jack]

Ok thank you. What does Salinus even look like? Will I be able to tell once she has workers?

Edited by 1tsm3jack, Yesterday, 5:48 PM.

[ReignofRage]

You need to look at the basal tooth on the mandibles. The basal tooh is the "top" tooth when looking at the mandibles "head-on." In P. occidentalis, the tooth will be upturned and in P. salinus, it will be flat with the basal margin. This is the case for both the queen and workers.