13 replies to this topic

[Gregory2455]

I am going to stuff two ID's into one topic. The only reason I am doing this is because I already have a good idea what they are, I just have some doubts.

Sorry these ID's are not done using the traditional template, I am in a hurry.

 

ID #1     Myrmecocystus sp.

Has all the features and size of Myrmecocystus mexicanus, but has a striped gaster.

 

 

ID #2     Solenopsis sp.

Has size of Solenopsis xyloni, and the head and thorax are red too, but the gaster is yellow with black stripes.

[Anhzor]

Number one looks like navajo second looks like s. Xyloni

[dspdrew]

Yes, I found quite a few of the first, and I think they're probably M. navajo. Also, exact mm measurements of them would help.

[Gregory2455]

Do Myrmecocystus navajo have repletes like in Myrmecocystus mexicanus?

[Anhzor]

Yes I believe almost all have repletes

[Gregory2455]

Now that one of the second ones died, I can look at her closer. Her head does not look like Solenopsis.

[Gregory2455]

How large are the average Pheidole queens?

[Gregory2455]

First off, unlike my other Solenopsis xyloni, her mandibles are not toothed looking, they are more flat, almost like a harvester ant's.

[dspdrew]

Yeah, that last one might be Pheidole. They can range in size, but 5 mm is the average of the ones I've seen.

[Gregory2455]

Slightly more than 5mm.

[Gregory2455]

Only time will tell, most of them have eggs and possibly small larvae...

[Gregory2455]

If the second is Pheidole, it is in the range of this:

(Not my image)

[Gregory2455]

Although their heads seem a bit too big in that picture...

 

I regret not looking at the workers while they were flying so bad now. 

[Gregory2455]

Myrmecocystus cf. mexicanus

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Solenopsis xyloni