2124 replies to this topic

[Nathant2131]

ID Thread for the Camponotus novaeborcensis queen I caught (or my dad, rather) yesterday:

 

 

http://www.formicult...917/#entry61590

[Nathant2131]

 

 

I went for my hike and all I saw was C. pennsylvanicus dealates all over - walking across paved side walks/streets and in the forest itself they were the majority found under logs and rocks. Lucky find of the day; I was able to get a founding Lasius niger queen! So that's a bonus. Wasn't sure how long she was there for, obviously hibernated unless flights are abnormally fast this year. She totally inhaled a substantial drop of Sunburst nectar as soon as we got home so she was definitely hungry.

 

Probably Lasius Alienus as L. niger is pretty unusual for around here.  If you take some close ups, @batspiderfish can probably ID.  From what I recall, he needs some serious close ups of the head and jaws.

 

Oooh, you might be right! I didn't look at this particular species pics but I see the resemblance too. I'll get a pic!

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: pics are uploaded! 

 

What is the size? 

[Nathant2131]

Found another C. pennsylvanicus dealate this morning. (~53 F)

Edited by Nathant2131, May 20 2017 - 2:34 AM.

[Myrmidon]

 

 

 

I went for my hike and all I saw was C. pennsylvanicus dealates all over - walking across paved side walks/streets and in the forest itself they were the majority found under logs and rocks. Lucky find of the day; I was able to get a founding Lasius niger queen! So that's a bonus. Wasn't sure how long she was there for, obviously hibernated unless flights are abnormally fast this year. She totally inhaled a substantial drop of Sunburst nectar as soon as we got home so she was definitely hungry.

 

Probably Lasius Alienus as L. niger is pretty unusual for around here.  If you take some close ups, @batspiderfish can probably ID.  From what I recall, he needs some serious close ups of the head and jaws.

 

Oooh, you might be right! I didn't look at this particular species pics but I see the resemblance too. I'll get a pic!

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: pics are uploaded! 

 

What is the size? 

 

 

Sorry for the delay! I just checked on her and measured the best I could through the tube. She's around 2 cm if not just under, so pretty close to that I would say. I checked on antwiki to try to better determine but the Lasius are a tough group to ID for sure. Though considering I found her in a forest - it would be more likely L. alienus according to their N. American habitat preferences. She's happy in the heated drawer with the Camponotus Collective - all have produced eggs - and she has laid about 6 of her own! Pumped. 

 

I'm so excited that you are taking care of C. novae! I hope to catch them eventually! 

[Nathant2131]

After a series of lifting a log pile outside, I found a bunch of dealates; Mostly C. pennsylvanicus, but also one Myrmentoma and an unkown species, perhaps C. chromaiodes.

 

Edit: it was just C. pennsylvanicus.

Edited by Nathant2131, May 20 2017 - 12:33 PM.

[Nathant2131]

Found yet another C. pennsylvanicus dealate.

[Myrmidon]

Found yet another C. pennsylvanicus dealate.

They are everywhere! I see them all over. Next year I'll be a lot more relaxed when catching these ones. Haha

[Nathant2131]

 

Found yet another C. pennsylvanicus dealate.

They are everywhere! I see them all over. Next year I'll be a lot more relaxed when catching these ones. Haha

 

This is my first full season of anting (and my very first actual season where I am not as inexperienced and more serious about the hobby) so it is fun to find out the hotspots of different species and stuff, to prepre myself for next year.

 

I was surprised to learn there are at least three species of Camponotus in my yard that fly very noticably.

[noebl1]

 

 

They are everywhere! I see them all over. Next year I'll be a lot more relaxed when catching these ones. Haha

 

I suspect if like previous years they will still have a couple more flights.  Camponotus seem to be one of the most prolific fliers I think for my area, followed by Lasius at #2.

 

One of my Myrmentoma already has at least one orange egg.   I also found a Myrmica dealate from last season this week, I noticed an egg last night, but don't see it today so she may have eaten it (considering she laid within 48hours of capture, I'm not shocked by this).

[Myrmidon]

 

 

 

I suspect if like previous years they will still have a couple more flights.  camponotus seem to be one of the most prolific fliers I think for my area, followed by Lasius at #2.

 

One of my Myrmentoma already has at least one orange egg.   I also found a Myrmica dealate from last season this week, I noticed an egg last night, but don't see it today so she may have eaten it (considering she laid within 48hours of capture, I'm not shocked by this).

 

 

That's awesome. Lucky finds all around! I'm still getting used to all the different types around here. Which sp of Myrmica? 

[Nathant2131]

Myrmica is an extremely hard genus to Identify and usually requires pinning a dead worker.

[Myrmidon]

Okay great, so I won't feel bad if I can't identify them either. 

[noebl1]

Myrmica is an extremely hard genus to Identify and usually requires pinning a dead worker.

 

Bingo, exactly why I cheated and didn't name it  Looking at the Field Guide of New England, could be any one of 4 or 5 of the native species based on size and coloration.  

[noebl1]

Found a lone de-alate C. pennsylvanicus (well my daughter did), wandering around yesterday afternoon. 

 

Also my Myrmica sp laid more eggs...  so maybe start a journal on them

 

Looks like not a great week for anting.  Betting next time it hits 80s and humid Camponotus will fly again.

[Myrmidon]

Found a lone de-alate C. pennsylvanicus (well my daughter did), wandering around yesterday afternoon. 

 

Also my Myrmica sp laid more eggs...  so maybe start a journal on them

 

Looks like not a great week for anting.  Betting next time it hits 80s and humid Camponotus will fly again.

 

Congrats! Would love to follow the Myrmica journal since now I'm intrigued and would have a better idea what to look out for.

 

And yes, typical New England. Sheesh.

[Nathant2131]

Found a Tetramorium cf. caespitum colony under the bark of a living tree- there were gigantic larvae, which I'm sure may be reproductive larvae! So they are prepping for flights.

 

Also found a Camponotus novaeboracensis dealate under a piece of fence. A termite colony was on the other side of the piece of fence. It was wet out today since it has been raining.

[noebl1]

For those who caught Lasius neoniger and other's in the Fall, how are they doing?  Any nanitics yet?  My Lasius neoniger (the 4 that made it thru so far), one has a huge brood pile, others are smaller.  I think they all have larvae at various stages more or less. I have two other Lasius sp, potentially flavus or similar, also both with good sized brood piles. 

 

My Lasius alienus with the Lasius umbratus queen, are taking a really long time to eclose, these are from eggs laid this Fall (not sure if any this Spring.)

Edited by noebl1, May 22 2017 - 2:18 PM.

[Nathant2131]

For those who caught Lasius neoniger and other's in the Fall, how are they doing?  Any nanitics yet?  My Lasius neoniger (the 4 that made it thru so far), one has a huge brood pile, others are smaller.  I think they all have larvae at various stages more or less. I have two other Lasius sp, potentially flavus or similar, also both with good sized brood piles. 

 

My Lasius alienus with the Lasius umbratus queen, are taking a really long time to eclose, these are from eggs laid this Fall (not sure if any this Spring.)

I took my 5 Lasius cf. neoniger out of hibernation in early-mid March. They have gone under a lot of stress overall due to beginner inexperience, so all the brood at one point were eaten (so this is probably useless to you), but my queens have big balls of eggs. They started get larvae just recently. I'm sure they would have pupae or workers if they didn't go though so much stress and stuff by now.

[Nathant2131]

Wow, I found 2 Camponotus pennsylvanicus dealates inside my school, both squished or injured in some way. (everyone was probably stomping on them, knowing the mentally insane personality of my school towards insects.)

[noebl1]

Thanks to Nathant2131 on the ID, I think he's right, these may be Dolichoderus plagiatus.  They were in the side yard, no idea they were here. Absolutely beautiful ant: