13 replies to this topic

[Jaaron]

1. Location: Residential Block Foundation, Brown County, Ohio

2. 3/24/17
3. Habitat: Temperate forest, eastern corn belt plains according to Gary A. Coovert,  The Ants of Ohio
4. Length: Approximately just under 7 mm

5. Coloration: Dark brownish/black, almost vaguely translucent upper gaster, lighter dark band around middle of gaster, slightly reddish tinge to top of the dark thorax and possibly head.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Looks like single petiole. 
7. Anything else distinctive: Found near crematogaster colony. When brought together, crematogasters turned their gasters against her and she'd scurry off to clean and avoid them. No other defense or aggression observed.
8. Nest description: Found on residential block foundation near crematogaster colony.
9 . Pictures are awful. Haven't yet invested in proper equipment.

 

[Antking117]

To blurry for me to tell D: I can only tell by sight not description sorry D:

[Jaaron]

No problem. Thanks for taking a look. 

[VoidElecent]

It does look like a queen to me, but I'm not sure about the species. It think it's Camponotus, maybe C. pennsylvanicus, C. nearcticus or C. caryae, but given the small size, I'm not too sure.

[Nathant2131]

It does look like a queen to me, but I'm not sure about the species. It think it's Camponotus, maybe C. pennsylvanicus, C. nearcticus or C. caryae, but given the small size, I'm not too sure.

This doesn't look like Camponotus to me. We would need better pictures anyway.

 

This is a queen.

Edited by Nathant2131, March 25 2017 - 5:01 AM.

[VoidElecent]

 

It does look like a queen to me, but I'm not sure about the species. It think it's Camponotus, maybe C. pennsylvanicus, C. nearcticus or C. caryae, but given the small size, I'm not too sure.

This doesn't look like Camponotus to me. We would need better pictures anyway.

 

This is a queen.

 

 

You're right. It's too small and its gaster is too short to be Camponotus. Given the size, and time of year, I think it's a Lasius umbratus-group parasite queen.

 

If you can't post better pictures in time, here are some that you can compare your queen with. 

 

 

I don't know. I also see lots of differences, so don't take my word for it. Just a shot in the dark.

[Nathant2131]

I would say an umbratus-group Lasius too.

[Canadian anter]

Umbratus group Lasius

[Jaaron]

Alright, thanks, everyone! I think I'll hold onto her and try to get better photography going. I don't suppose she could be introduced to anything but other Lasius species, correct? 

[Nathant2131]

Alright, thanks, everyone! I think I'll hold onto her and try to get better photography going. I don't suppose she could be introduced to anything but other Lasius species, correct? 

Correct.

[VoidElecent]

Alright, thanks, everyone! I think I'll hold onto her and try to get better photography going. I don't suppose she could be introduced to anything but other Lasius species, correct? 

 

Correct. These queens should be introduced to Lasius niger-group colonies. Read all about it here.

[Jaaron]

Great, thanks very much! 

[Jaaron]

Picked up another one today. Would this be the same species as above?

[Canadian anter]

Umbratus-group Lasius