9 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Location: Whitewater, California

Date: 4-14-2016

Habitat: Sand, foothills

Length: 1mm

Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Light brown/dark orange.

Other distinguishing features: Monomorphous, foraged in neat, long trails. 

Nest description: Small mound.

Someone had suggested Linepithema humile but they appear too small and orange to be Argentine ants, at least the ones that I'm familiar with. 

 

 

[dspdrew]

1mm?? Are you sure?

 

I think that is most likely Forelius, but those are closer to 2mm. I'm pretty sure Brachymyrmex is the smallest ant we have here, at around 1.5mm in length.

[Subverted]

Be careful if you are out at Whitewater at night. Its a famous locality for a few types of reptiles and you might get someone wanting to search your car to see if you are up to no good.

[dspdrew]

I remember reading on a forum that people used to go there a lot looking for snakes, but they stayed on the road so they weren't breaking any laws.

[gcsnelling]

Fish and Game loves to set out fake reptiles to stop people who are road cruising for herps. Nothing illegal about it as long as you have your fishing license. More dangerous in that area is the fact that it has become a really popular after hours drug hangout. Now about the ant, most likely suspect is Forelius which is of course quite common there, to rule out  Brachymyrmex just count the antennal segments.

[Foogoo]

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. I didn't go as far as the preserve but would have never thought the area was a hotspot for anything, reptiles or drugs. Always looks deserted the times I've been.

[dspdrew]

Haha, the drug thing I never heard before. I'll keep that in mind. As for the preserve, there's no reason to go all the way up there, as you can't legally take anything from there anyway. The main reason I don't like that spot is because it's constantly closed off due to "fire danger". I guess I might light the rocks on fire.

[gcsnelling]

Fire danger is very real out there, they have had some wicked fires in that area over the years.

[Bryce]

That looks like a brachy.

Edited by Bryce, April 17 2016 - 2:57 PM.

[gcsnelling]

Count the antenna segments, but we need a clear shot to be accurate.