5 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

1. Location of collection:  Costa Mesa, California.
2. Date of collection:  6-6-2014.
3. Habitat of collection: Landscaped apartment complex (urban/suburban).
4. Length (from head to gaster):  2mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  Dark brown head and thorax, black head, light brown/yellow legs, red mandibles.
6. Distinguishing characteristics:  Small spines. Gaster shiny unlike head and thorax.
7. Anything else distinctive: 
8. Nest description:
 
Queen:
 

 

 

 

 
 
Worker:
 

 

 

[dspdrew]

I found this dealate walking on the sidewalk just as I opened my truck door after getting home from work. At around 2mm, I assumed it was a worker, and dropped it in alcohol, only to see that it was actually a dealate. How can there be a queen this small? Even a Brachymyrmex queen is about 5mm, and this thing is barely larger than a Brachymyrmex worker.

[Crystals]

At 2mm, how did you even see her? 

[LAnt]

What is the alcohol test?

[dspdrew]

Alcohol kills it and preserves it so I can pin it up and look at it with a microscope.

[dspdrew]

This is Cardiocondyla sp., most likely Cardiocondyla mauritanica. I just added pictures of a worker that I assume is associated with her.