7 replies to this topic

[Nathant2131]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Spanish Wells (Small island, 2 miles long and 1 mile wide), Bahamas
2. Date of collection: 7/13/17
3. Habitat of collection: Beach.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Minors are ~4 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark brown/black gaster. Dark red mesosoma and head.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Postpetiole present. Antennal club present.
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: An area of at least a dozen mounds. The mounds are low, inconspicuous, and have the same substrate as the beach sand.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Nathant2131, July 14 2017 - 10:39 AM.

[VoidElecent]

This looks like a Solenopsis species to me. Does it sting or bite?

[Nathant2131]

This looks like a Solenopsis species to me. Does it sting or bite?

Not sure. I was thinking of sticking my finger in a mound or something to test their aggresiveness, since they do look like Solenopsis invicta. But that would hurt

[Nathant2131]

oops

Edited by Nathant2131, July 14 2017 - 10:52 AM.

[cpman]

Definatey Solenopsis sp.

Judging by the lack of majors with large heads, probably S. invicta as you guessed.

[Nathant2131]

Definatey Solenopsis sp.

Judging by the lack of majors with large heads, probably S. invicta as you guessed.

Actually, there was a different worker caste coming out occasionally from the nest entrances that were bigger than the minors but still had smallish heads. I thought they were medias but didn't know that the majors of this species don't have big heads. Maybe it was them. I have some not-good pics of one of them, I'll post it later. Don't have measurements though

Edited by Nathant2131, July 14 2017 - 12:00 PM.

[Nathant2131]

Horrible pic, but you can see her next to a minor.

 

[cpman]

Definatey Solenopsis sp.

Judging by the lack of majors with large heads, probably S. invicta as you guessed.

Actually, there was a different worker caste coming out occasionally from the nest entrances that were bigger than the minors but still had smallish heads. I thought they were medias but didn't know that the majors of this species don't have big heads. Maybe it was them. I have some not-good pics of one of them, I'll post it later. Don't have measurements though

Big headed majors (with a deep groove) would make it S. geminata -- the other fire ant in the Bahamas.

The other way to tell is S. invicta has a tooth in the middle of the clypeus, while S. geminata does not.

Your photos look generally more like S. invicta to me, because of the somewhat darker coloration (but I may be conflating the fact that the S. geminata native to where I am is generally lighter colored)

EDIT: Your new photo also seems to suggest S. invicta to me.

Edited by cpman, July 14 2017 - 1:26 PM.