4 replies to this topic

[Nathant2131]

1. Location of collection: Dracut, Massachusetts
2. Date of collection:  5/11/17
3. Habitat of collection: Beginning of a forest. Ponera pennsylvanica and Tetramorium cf. caespitum nest/forage close by.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 2-3mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: More or less uniformly black
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Propodeal spines present. Postpetiole present. This is a myrmicine species. The antennae appear to have a present club.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Sparsely distributed workers foraging on rocks and on dirt. Some workers were feeding off of dandelions. They are very slow.
8. Nest description: Nest not found.

 

Don't mind the dog hair.

 

 

 

 

 

Based off of the small postpetiole and long propodeal spines, I believe this is Temnothorax longispinosus. Right?

 

[Cindy]

I agree that this is Temnothorax longispinosus if the propodeal spines are long. The only other option is Temnothorax texanus however the length of the propodeal spines are shorter.

[Nathant2131]

I agree that this is Temnothorax longispinosus if the propodeal spines are long. The only other option is Temnothorax texanus however the length of the propodeal spines are shorter.

It is probably not Temnothorax texanus as the postpetiole is not that wide. The postpetiole of T. texanus is quite bulgy, and this ant's postpetiole is not. 

 

A T. texanus specimen from Antweb:

Edited by Nathant2131, May 11 2017 - 1:46 PM.

[Nathant2131]

I keyed it out to Temnothorax longispinosus.

 

Does anyone want to confirm my ID?

[VoidElecent]

I keyed it out to Temnothorax longispinosus.

 

Does anyone want to confirm my ID?

 

I'm no BatSpiderFish, but I think you're right. It looks like Temnothorax longispinosus.

 

The other possibility, of course, is Pinkomyrmex longispinosus, howvever these are extraordinarily rare and it is highly unlikely.