16 replies to this topic

[Nathant2131]

1. Location of collection: Newbury, Massachusetts
2. Date of collection: 6/3/17
3. Habitat of collection: On the Plum island beach. This queen was walking right on the beach sand, next to a vegetated area.
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~6-7 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark brown/gray head, brownish red mesosoma and gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Postpetiole present. Propodeal spines present.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Sort of fast
8. Nest description: No nest found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Nathant2131, June 5 2017 - 12:06 PM.

[VoidElecent]

I don't think this is Aphaenogaster, it looks like a semi-claustral Myrmica queen who was likely foraging for her brood. My brother and I found a couple of these a few weeks ago; we attached their tubes to little outworlds where we feed them fruit flies, and one of them has already laid a large pile of eggs!

[Nathant2131]

I don't think this is Aphaenogaster, it looks like a semi-claustral Myrmica queen who was likely foraging for her brood. My brother and I found a couple of these a few weeks ago; we attached their tubes to little outworlds where we feed them fruit flies, and one of them has already laid a large pile of eggs!

I don't think it's Myrmica. It seems only lightly sculptured. Really baffled with this queen as it would be too early for Aphaenogaster as well.

[VoidElecent]

 

I don't think this is Aphaenogaster, it looks like a semi-claustral Myrmica queen who was likely foraging for her brood. My brother and I found a couple of these a few weeks ago; we attached their tubes to little outworlds where we feed them fruit flies, and one of them has already laid a large pile of eggs!

I don't think it's Myrmica. It seems only lightly sculptured. Really baffled with this queen as it would be too early for Aphaenogaster as well.

 

 

You may want to consider Stenamma, they do fly at this time. Although, I'm not familiar with Stenamma queens reaching the size that yours is.

[Martialis]

I've got two queens together that resemble a really small Myrmica.. too bad they're too small to get good photos.

[VoidElecent]

I've got two queens together that resemble a really small Myrmica.. too bad they're too small to get good photos.

 

Stenamma!

[Nathant2131]

It looks a lot like Myrmica rubra, but won't be able to confirm this as Myrmica are tough to ID.

[Nathant2131]

Does anyone else have any ideas?

[Martialis]

 

I've got two queens together that resemble a really small Myrmica.. too bad they're too small to get good photos.

 

Stenamma!

 

 

Since when are they polygyne? 4mm? 

[ultraex2]

Not 100% but these do look really similar to stenamma brevicorne http://bugguide.net/.../469964/bgimage.  I caught some of these about 3 weeks ago.  They look semi-claustral too.

[Nathant2131]

Stenamma brevicorne queens are around 4 mm, this queen is too big for any nearby Stenamma species.

 

I think i'll cap this ID off with Myrmica cf. rubra, the similarity is uncannny. Of course, Myrmica are tough to ID so I'll leave the cf. in there. 

 

A picture online:

 

My queen:

 

 

 

 

 

[123LordOfAnts123]

Myrmica rubra has several records for your state, which is well within the range that this species has spread to in the US so far. I think your ID Is spot on.

[Nathant2131]

Myrmica rubra has several records for your state, which is well within the range that this species has spread to in the US so far. I think your ID Is spot on.

Right, especially since I caught her right on the coastline. Thanks.

Edited by Nathant2131, June 5 2017 - 2:29 PM.

[Martialis]

They are? Then I guess I have one of the five Stennama species here in Indiana. One more colony to sell, then.

[Batspiderfish]

Myrmica rubra are thankfully a little easier to identify amongst our native species because their frontal lobes (the ridges near the antennal sockets) are thin and point upward. That is one of the few things to go on, however. Myrmica identification is not simple.
 

Myrmica rubra (nonnative)

 

Myrmica pinetorum (native)

Edited by Batspiderfish, June 5 2017 - 7:07 PM.

[Martialis]

It seems like Myrmica rubra's antennae are a bit thinner.

[Batspiderfish]

It seems like Myrmica rubra's antennae are a bit thinner.

 

The shape of the antennal scapes/sockets are a big part of Myrmica identification, which is why they usually can't be ID'd without microscopic examination of a dead specimen.