5 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

1. Location of collection: Needles, California
2. Date of collection: 8-27-2016
3. Habitat of collection: High Desert
4. Length (from head to gaster): 12mm (queen), 5mm (worker)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: All orange with slightly darker gaster (queen), orange with black gaster (worker)
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description:

 

Worker

 

 

 

 

 

Queen

 

 

 

 

[dspdrew]

I figured I would make a page for this species in case I figure it out some day. I tried keying these out, but got nowhere. I dug into their nest to see if any alates were present, and found two. I was really surprised to see female alates that almost looked like M. navajo, while their workers look nothing like that species. I thought the queen keyed out to Myrmecocystus kathjuli, but then keying the worker got me nowhere.

[gcsnelling]

Wow, fuzzy little critters.

[dspdrew]

Question for the experts:
 
I suspect this species is in the Endiodioctes subgenus. The first couplet in the key for queens of this subgenus says:
 

Penultimate segment of maxillary palp more than twice wider in basal third as at apex, the remaining segments very broad; gaster ferruginous . . . . . 2

Penultimate segment of maxillary palp slender, more or less parallel-sided, never more than 1.5 x wider in basal third than at apex, remaining segments slender; gaster brownish or blackish . . . . . 3

 

Would this penultimate segment of the maxillary palp be considered "more than twice wider in basal third as at apex" or "more or less parallel-sided, never more than 1.5 x wider in basal third than at apex"

 

I'm thinking the former.
 

[gcsnelling]

Well no doubt in my mind you have correct subgenus, I would go with first couplet as well.

[Nexus]

Funny how the ocelli of the worker is apparent. It is usually a queen and male caracter.