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Still Flying

Started By Tspivey16 , Oct 14 2014 7:55 AM

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#1 Offline Tspivey16 - Posted October 14 2014 - 7:55 AM

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It got above 70 degrees in Columbus, OH yesterday so I decided to take a walk. There were several flights going on, Cremategaster and paristic Lasius - as well as this one. This one is a new find for me for flights - and the consensus seems to be Myrmica.

 

photo

 

photo2

 

 


Current Colonies:

                               Aphaenogaster tennesseensis (50 Workers)

                               Formica subsericea (5+ Workers)

                               Tetramorium caespitum (50+ Workers)

                               Parastic Lasius (15 Accepted Host Workers)

                               Crematogaster cerasi (10 + Workers)

                               Temnothorax sp. (70 + workers)

 

#2 Offline Crystals - Posted October 14 2014 - 8:18 AM

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This looks very similar to a queen recently found in Michigan - http://forum.formicu...0114/#entry6270

 

What size is it?

 

The spine appears to be on the node and not on the back of the thorax.  Can you get another side shot in better lighting?  Perhaps outside in light shade?


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies

#3 Offline Tspivey16 - Posted October 14 2014 - 8:26 AM

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Hi Crystals - yeah, I will work on that when I get home from the office.


Current Colonies:

                               Aphaenogaster tennesseensis (50 Workers)

                               Formica subsericea (5+ Workers)

                               Tetramorium caespitum (50+ Workers)

                               Parastic Lasius (15 Accepted Host Workers)

                               Crematogaster cerasi (10 + Workers)

                               Temnothorax sp. (70 + workers)

 

#4 Offline Mercutia - Posted October 14 2014 - 10:50 AM

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This definitely looks like Aphaenogaster. Probably A. fulva.


#5 Offline Tspivey16 - Posted October 14 2014 - 10:52 AM

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Mercutia - that was the debate on the facebook group too - Aphenogaster or Myrmica - I will try to get better photos tonight, as well as measurements


Current Colonies:

                               Aphaenogaster tennesseensis (50 Workers)

                               Formica subsericea (5+ Workers)

                               Tetramorium caespitum (50+ Workers)

                               Parastic Lasius (15 Accepted Host Workers)

                               Crematogaster cerasi (10 + Workers)

                               Temnothorax sp. (70 + workers)

 

#6 Offline James C. Trager - Posted October 14 2014 - 12:24 PM

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Tspivey and Canadian Ant-Ladies:

 

I'm quite sure this is one of our relatively small, slender, southern Myrmica  species, such as M. spatulata, M. punctiventris, etc. One way I recognize 
Aphaenogaster queens is by their relatively voluminous and wide gasters, as in this image: http://www.alexander...S/picea19-S.jpg. This is probably related to their fully claustral colony founding. 

 

Just flown Myrmica  queens always seem more slender to me, especially their gasters.


#7 Offline Tspivey16 - Posted October 14 2014 - 3:20 PM

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Measurement is 6.3 mm.

 

Here are some more pics- I know they are perhaps still not that great- but really want to invest in a good camera for the hobby. It is raining out as well so couldn't get a natural light pic

 

image
image
image
image

 


Current Colonies:

                               Aphaenogaster tennesseensis (50 Workers)

                               Formica subsericea (5+ Workers)

                               Tetramorium caespitum (50+ Workers)

                               Parastic Lasius (15 Accepted Host Workers)

                               Crematogaster cerasi (10 + Workers)

                               Temnothorax sp. (70 + workers)

 

#8 Offline James C. Trager - Posted October 15 2014 - 5:52 AM

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Second to the last picture shows Myrmica-type waist segments, especially the petiolar node. 


Edited by James C. Trager, October 15 2014 - 5:52 AM.

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#9 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted October 15 2014 - 5:47 PM

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@James C. Trager   I almost only ever see you in ID's, along with other things, but out of curiosity, do you currently have any ant colonies? Probably a stupid question, but I am curious. :)


#10 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted October 24 2014 - 3:09 PM

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I recently just caught a TON of those. They are for sure Myrmica and I'm thinking rubra because of there coloration and pattern.


#11 Offline Crystals - Posted October 25 2014 - 7:46 AM

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I recently just caught a TON of those. They are for sure Myrmica and I'm thinking rubra because of there coloration and pattern.

He is located in OH, USA.

Myrmica rubra are a European species.  One usually needs a microscope or very good pictures to ID Myrmica.

 

Here is a list of his local Myrmica species - http://www.antweb.or...roject=ohioants


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies

#12 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted October 25 2014 - 8:09 AM

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What Myrmica queens look extremely close to Myrmica rubra queens then? Pictures?


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