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[jdsaunders1390]

I found this dealate walking across a sidewalk near a wooded area. I often find Solenopsis invicta queens here, and this one looks like them to me, but her gaster looks more narrow than normal. (I was able to easily compare, because I caught quite a few dealates in the same place at the same time that I am sure are Solenopsis invicta.) Do you guys think this one is just an abnormal S. invicta, or a different species of Solenopsis? She is about 9 mm long.

 

 

[123LordOfAnts123]

Just a skinny Solenopsis invicta queen.

Alates of the polygyne variety fly off at a noticeably thinner wait. There's also a microsporidian protozoan and a fungus that causes a similar condition and results in fewer laid eggs.