Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Found on log, under bark.

Started By Loops117 , Jun 8 2016 8:19 PM

  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Loops117 - Posted June 8 2016 - 8:19 PM

Loops117

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 802 posts
  • LocationSouth Lyon, Michigan

Location: Mid Michigan

Area: On side of log, under bark. Was in claustral(sp?) chamber. Couldn't find any eggs.

6mm in length. Maybe a bit more or less.

 

I tried getting a picture of her with her antenna out, but she hides them and "plays dead" when i try to position for a picture.

 

20160609_001047.jpg

20160609_001107.jpg

20160609_001014.jpg


Edited by Loops117, June 8 2016 - 8:26 PM.

#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted June 8 2016 - 8:22 PM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts
A velvet ant. Not an ant at all, but rather a wasp that parasitizes bees.

Edited by drtrmiller, June 8 2016 - 8:22 PM.

  • gcsnelling likes this


byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#3 Offline LC3 - Posted June 8 2016 - 8:22 PM

LC3

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,323 posts
  • LocationBC, Canada

It looks cute.


Edited by LC3, June 8 2016 - 8:23 PM.

#4 Offline Reacker - Posted June 8 2016 - 8:23 PM

Reacker

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 342 posts
  • LocationFree State of Greater Potatonia

I don'tknow if that's actually an ant. Looks a lot like a flightless wasp to me. 

 

edit: 3 instantaneous replies!


Edited by Reacker, June 8 2016 - 8:23 PM.

  • LC3 likes this

#5 Offline Loops117 - Posted June 8 2016 - 8:30 PM

Loops117

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 802 posts
  • LocationSouth Lyon, Michigan

Ok, after doing some research. I found out this is a velvet ant queen. I know what these girls are capable of, and i'm am beyond happy i didn't touch her.

 

Edit: Holy crap, that was quick. Thank you guys for the quick responses.


Edited by Loops117, June 8 2016 - 8:31 PM.

#6 Offline JWRay - Posted June 8 2016 - 9:18 PM

JWRay

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationBurbank, CA

Yep, certainly a velvet ant.  Although a small one by velvet ant standards.

 

The big ones, affectionately know as Cow Killers, can pack quite a punch.

 

I don't think they have queens in the ant sense of the word, as they are solitary.

 

Females are wingless, males tend to be winged and look quite a bit more like the wasp that they actually are.

 

Cool find.


#7 Offline Kingjay - Posted June 9 2016 - 11:41 AM

Kingjay

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 55 posts
  • LocationCharlotte,nc
Nice find man. To me it looks like a type of hornet because of the jaws.

#8 Offline Loops117 - Posted June 9 2016 - 11:49 AM

Loops117

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 802 posts
  • LocationSouth Lyon, Michigan

Nice find man. To me it looks like a type of hornet because of the jaws.

Pretty good guess! It's actually a flightless wasp, known as the Velvet Ant. She packs a pretty mean sting though.


Back to Ant ID Requests · Next Unread Topic →


1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users