Joe's Ant Queen
1. Location (on a map) of collection: Grand Junction, CO (Western Colorado, Approximately 4500' elevation)
2. Date of collection: 8 July 2017
3. Habitat of collection: High desert. Sandy soil near a creek.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Approximately 7mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark brown head and thorax, darker, near-black gaster, Legs lightening to yellowish-white.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: No significant petiole or hidden petiole
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: Unknown. Found walking on concrete in early evening.
I know these aren't the best pictures, but if you could at least give me an idea of what type from them, I could narrow it down on my own.
Psycho Ants
1. Location (on a map) of collection: Grand Junction, CO (Western Colorado, Approximately 4500' elevation)
2. Date of collection: 8 July 2017
3. Habitat of collection: High desert. Sandy soil near a creek.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Workers Approximately 5mm, Alate Approximately 11-12mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Workers- Black head and gaster, reddish brown thorax. Light legs. Alate- Solid black head, body, and gaster, Yellowish legs.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Single significant petiole
7. Distinguishing behavior: VERY fast moving, swarming response.
8. Nest description: Unknown. Found under a log, large colony with many workers and alates.
Again, not the best pictures. My macro lens on my phone sucks! And I'm sorry I couldn't get better side views. I'm assuming these are the same species as they were both living in the same nest area under a log and didn't seem to be fighting. The Alate looks very much like a black wasp, but has the elbowed antennae of an ant.
Edited by wolfwhowanders, July 9 2017 - 1:58 PM.
