2 replies to this topic

[Loops117]

I think they're Formica subsericea but i could be wrong.

 

1. Location of collection: Under a large brick. Next to a very large Lasius colony.

2. Date of collection: 7/31/16
3. Habitat of collection: Soggy woods. Heavy brush, not too much sun.
4. Length: 5~6mm Just an eyeball though. Don't have a unit of measurement off hand.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: All black, looks to have tiny hairs on gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 3 Queens, that's pretty distinguishing other then the other information i added.
7. Anything else distinctive : no
8. Nest description :Up flat against a large brick Some holes going down.. Prolly more queens, and a much larger colony down the holes.
 

 

 

[Saftron]

Too me it looks like F. Subsericea. But I would wait for someone else who can identify better than me.

[Batspiderfish]

Formica argentea is abundant in North Central North America, although Formica subsericea is still a possibility. Both of these Formica have silvery, hairy gasters up to the third tergite (F. subsericea) or the fourth tergite (F. argentea) and have antennal scapes longer than the length of the head (excluding mandibles). You'll probably need to look at them through a microscope to differentiate them for sure (Formica subsericea has tiny elongated punctures (like depressions) on its cheeks, which is not evident in F. argentea).