5 replies to this topic

[Shareallicu]

Hello, I would like to know what kind of ant this worker is.  Can anyone tell with Galaxy 3 phone pictures (all I have). I had a colony without a queen of these ants before, and I would love to know what they are!  Thanks!

1. Lynnwood, Wa. USA.  Outside of my back door, on the bricks.   I gave her chicken.

2. 9-15-16.

3. Wondering around the backdoor, on the bricks.

4. 4.5mm  Length

5. Black Coloration.  Difficult to tell with phone camera.  seemed to change color depending on the lighting may have lighter hues (brown/tan/orange color).  Shiny in the sun, seems to have small hairs on her gaster.  
6. One petiole, almond shaped eyes.
7. She kept chasing a yellow jacket who kept trying to steal her chicken! 
8. N/A

If it’s not enough information or clear enough pictures then I understand, but thanks for trying!

 

 

[Batspiderfish]

Silvery pubescence on the four gastral tergites and antennal scapes are longer than the length of the head -- Formica argentea.

[T.C.]

It looks like camponotus pennsylvanicus? Maybe a little to long of legs though

[Shareallicu]

Silvery pubescence on the four gastral tergites and antennal scapes are longer than the length of the head -- Formica argentea.

I really hope so!  I have a formica argentea queen!   She has been eating her eggs but I am hoping she is just waiting until spring to let them be workers.

[Shareallicu]

It looks like camponotus pennsylvanicus? Maybe a little to long of legs though

Thanks!   I know the pictures make identification difficult.  One day I would like to get a good camera.

[Batspiderfish]

It's obscure in the second and third picture, but Camponotus have a mesosoma (thorax) that slopes smoothly along the entire back. Formica have a notch in the center of their back.

 

One thing to note is that C. pennsylvanicus is not present in Washington, but the similar C. modoc (and perhaps less similar, C. vicinus) are.

Edited by Batspiderfish, September 16 2016 - 8:00 PM.