6 replies to this topic

[ncoatney]

1. Location of collection: Omaha, NE in my appartment stairwell
2. Date of collection: 06/04/17
3. Habitat of collection: Residential Area with many sidewalks trees and Grassy areas nearby
4. Length (from head to gaster): 25 mm(2.5 centimeters as measured by tape measure)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Jet black head, thorax, abdomen and legs, wings are orange/brown tinted. Large round abdomen
6. Distinguishing characteristics: hard to look at nodes because the wings are covering the body in the container.
7. Distinguishing behavior: I found her underneath a window sill inside my apartment.
8. Nest description: There are many Tetramorium Sp. E and Camponotus/formica nests around here and outside. I see the camp/formica workers all the time, and the tetramorium colonies are numerous.

 

I'm hunting for a Tetramorium Sp E queen to start my first colony, and I have a feeling this is far too large to be a Tetramorium, but wanted to check since this is the first queen I've caught.

 

https://ibb.co/c7nrOF

https://ibb.co/jUzGqv

https://ibb.co/hf0NVv

https://ibb.co/cR9uca

https://ibb.co/bYuSxa

[VoidElecent]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus. 25 mm does seem large for even these ants, but I guess it's not inconceivable. Make sure you don't include antennae in future measurements.

 

Good luck with your carpenter ant queen!

Edited by VoidElecent, June 4 2017 - 4:12 PM.

[Nathant2131]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus female alate.

[ncoatney]

Thank you for the swift replies. I will release her

[Spamdy]

Wait what, you are going to release it? Camponotus is far better than Tetramorium!

[Cameron C. Thomas]

Wait what, you are going to release it? Camponotus is far better than Tetramorium!

 

I might disagree. Certainly Camponotus are more physically impressive, especially once the colony is large and starts producing majors, but Tetramorium is an excellent starter genus. I find Camponotus can be more challenging early on, especially for new keepers, and aren't as robust to mistakes as Tetramorium. For someone just starting out, Tetramorium species can easily yield a couple hundred workers in the first season vs. a couple dozen on the higher end for Camponotus, which may be more desirable. Since you're rearing both genera, I'm sure you could agree that may be preferable.

Edited by Cameron C. Thomas, June 4 2017 - 5:45 PM.

[Antking117]

25mm is unheard of 0.0