Hi, I just found this ant and it looks like a queen with it's enlarged thorax and larger body size. Please use the image to identify if this even is a queen and if so, what species.
Thank you so much for taking your time to answer!
Best Answer ant man , June 6 2016 - 6:07 PM
here is a bigger picture, i have a quarter to show the size.
Go to the full postsorry for the bad quality of the photo. I will try to get better pictures
Yes, this is a Formica queen. Where are you located? Edmonton doesn't mean much to me.
PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab
Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.
Probably in Canada isn't it?
Looks to be. That would be consistent with the species photographed.
PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab
Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.
Looks like Formica podzolica to me.
If it's Eastern Canada, Formica glacialis would be more likely for this time of year. The black Formica can be tricky, though, without a good examination.
If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.
Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.
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Black lives still matter.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is in western Canada.
Edited by altmoola, June 7 2016 - 2:10 PM.
I'm not too familiar with west-coast Formica, but F. podzolica would be more appropriate for your location. There are other fusca-group species it could be, but again, it's hard to tell with normal photographs.
If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.
Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.
----
Black lives still matter.
Yes, this is a Formica queen. Where are you located? Edmonton doesn't mean much to me.
Alberta, canada
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