13 replies to this topic

[Aaron567]

Checked the pool today and found some Pheidole queens, along with this unknown queen that I haven't seen since last year.

 

Size: 6mm

Location: Pensacola, Florida

 

Her wings have a partly black tint to them. She may be infertile but I'm gonna keep her just in case.

There are Nylanderia (That's what I think they are) colonies in the woods behind my house which is why I think Nylanderia is a possibility. But, I don't think the head shape really looks like it.

 

She looks kinda like Lasius but I've never seen a Lasius colony or queen before. 

 

[AnthonyP163]

Looks like a Lasius Social Parasite to me. Not sure what species, I usually don't bother with them.

[VoidElecent]

I think you are absolutely right, this queen reminds me very much of a Lasius interjectus queen. These are social parasites, so you may want to read up on it here.

[Nathant2131]

It looks like Lasius interjectus but the dark coloring is really throwing me off. The Lasius Parasites CAN vary quite a lot in color though, so interjectus is quite possible. There are quite a few theories on how this species-group changes in color so much.

[Batspiderfish]

Wow! This is actually Lasius umbratus (or a close, undescribed relative). I's very rare to see them fly at this time of the year -- could be a trait of the Florida populations.

[Bracchymyrmex]

Doubt it flew recently, probably overwintered.

[Batspiderfish]

If she has wings, she probably did fly recently.

[Aaron567]

Doubt it flew recently, probably overwintered.

 

She definitely just flew. I found her in the pool. Also just found another one in the pool dead a few minutes ago. This is the time of the year where lots of species (Pheidole, Camponotus, Brachymyrmex) start having their flights.

[Aaron567]

Wow! This is actually Lasius umbratus (or a close, undescribed relative). I's very rare to see them fly at this time of the year -- could be a trait of the Florida populations.

 

I have seen several species this year flying a lot earlier than online sources say they do. I found my Camponotus floridanus queen in February. It's pretty interesting 

[Spamdy]

Aaron, do you hibernate your ants, we both live near the equator and was curious if you do. I live in Houston Texas.

[Aaron567]

Aaron, do you hibernate your ants, we both live near the equator and was curious if you do. I live in Houston Texas.

 

I've only been keeping ants for a year, but this past winter I did not hibernate any of mine. I only have five colonies at the moment, and I don't think any of the species I have absolutely need to hibernate. There are some ants in my area that do need hibernation, so if I get colonies of those then I will hibernate them.

[VoidElecent]

Wow! This is actually Lasius umbratus (or a close, undescribed relative). I's very rare to see them fly at this time of the year -- could be a trait of the Florida populations.

 

How do you know it's L. umbratus? I'm not questioning your methods (you know, being the king of all things Lasius-related, and all), but I am curious to see how you ruled out L. interjectus and L. claviger.

[Batspiderfish]

 

Wow! This is actually Lasius umbratus (or a close, undescribed relative). I's very rare to see them fly at this time of the year -- could be a trait of the Florida populations.

 

How do you know it's L. umbratus? I'm not questioning your methods (you know, being the king of all things Lasius-related, and all), but I am curious to see how you ruled out L. interjectus and L. claviger.

 

 

Both of those species, and all members of the Acanthomyops subgenus, are covered in many long hairs. Lasius umbratus is covered in fine, appressed pubescence.

[Nathant2131]

Wow! This is actually Lasius umbratus (or a close, undescribed relative). I's very rare to see them fly at this time of the year -- could be a trait of the Florida populations.

Interesting!