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Female Alate ID Simi Valley, 1-16-2016

Started By Gregory2455 , Jan 24 2016 6:58 PM

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22 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 24 2016 - 6:58 PM

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I took a late morning hike about a week ago and randomly found this queen walking around on the ground. She has since died, for seemingly no reason.

 

1. Location of collection: Simi Valley, CA
2. Date of collection: 1-16-2016

3. Time of collection: Noon. (Probably left nest in the morning.)
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~5 mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black, shiny gaster, rough(ish) head and thorax.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Myrmicinae, two spines on thorax.

 

The Ant:


 
The Habitat:


#2 Offline MrILoveTheAnts - Posted January 24 2016 - 7:30 PM

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Is there a spine under the first waist segment?


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#3 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 24 2016 - 7:51 PM

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I do not think so.


#4 Offline LC3 - Posted January 26 2016 - 12:25 AM

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Wild Guess, Myrmica?


#5 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 26 2016 - 7:19 AM

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I'm guessing you wouldn't find Myrmica at that elevation in Southern California. That's just a guess though. Don't they usually live where it gets quite cold?


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#6 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted January 26 2016 - 11:18 AM

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Temnothorax?


Edited by Jonathan21700, January 26 2016 - 11:35 AM.

#7 Offline Ants4fun - Posted January 27 2016 - 3:32 PM

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Solenopsis?

#8 Offline Mdrogun - Posted January 27 2016 - 3:39 PM

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Solenopsis?

I don't think so. The queen seems to skinny. It almost reminds me of Tetramorium but I know that's not it. I have no idea what it could be. It would be cool if it was a new sp.


Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole pilifera

Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega

#9 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 27 2016 - 6:56 PM

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Me thinks you should run it thru a decent key to get it to the genus at least to start. If you have never used one now is a good time to start.


#10 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 28 2016 - 6:20 AM

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Solenopsis?

 

Can't be Solenopsis, with spines like that.


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#11 Offline kellakk - Posted January 28 2016 - 1:15 PM

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Myrmecina americana?


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Current Species:
Camponotus fragilis

Novomessor cockerelli

Pogonomyrmex montanus

Pogonomyrmex rugosus

Manica bradleyi

 

 

#12 Offline Mdrogun - Posted January 28 2016 - 1:24 PM

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Could this be Monomorium?


Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole pilifera

Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega

#13 Offline kellakk - Posted January 28 2016 - 1:50 PM

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Monomorium along with Solenopsis have no spines.


Current Species:
Camponotus fragilis

Novomessor cockerelli

Pogonomyrmex montanus

Pogonomyrmex rugosus

Manica bradleyi

 

 

#14 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 28 2016 - 8:10 PM

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Me thinks you should run it thru a decent key to get it to the genus at least to start. If you have never used one now is a good time to start.

What would be a good key to use?


#15 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 29 2016 - 3:00 AM

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To get to genus I would use the one by Cover and Fisher. If I recall correctly the book is available thru Amazon.


Edited by gcsnelling, January 29 2016 - 3:00 AM.

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#16 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted January 29 2016 - 10:59 AM

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What about Stenamma or Aphaenogaster?


#17 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 30 2016 - 4:31 PM

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To get to genus I would use the one by Cover and Fisher. If I recall correctly the book is available thru Amazon.

This one? http://www.amazon.co...a/dp/0520254228


#18 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 30 2016 - 7:08 PM

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Yes, it is a very good key.


#19 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 30 2016 - 10:21 PM

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Yes, it is a very good key.

Is there a decent key I could view for... uhh... free? Now that I know it exists I am probably going to get it sooner or later, but for now I just cannot.


#20 Offline Subverted - Posted January 31 2016 - 12:26 AM

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Is there a decent key I could view for... uhh... free? Now that I know it exists I am probably going to get it sooner or later, but for now I just cannot.

 

 

 Have you given this one a go? http://www.antwiki.o...a_of_Myrmicinae


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