5 replies to this topic

[JohnTX]

Hi, I was able to catch three more queens over the past few days.  

I'm trying to teach my self to ID them and am currently guessing:  Solenopsis Invicta, Solenopsis Molesta, Tapinoma Sessile.  

I would appreciate some better informed opinions.

 

 

#1
1. Location of collection:  North of Dallas TX

2. Date of collection:  July 26
3. Habitat of collection: Golf cart path
4. Length: 8-9mm  .
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Dark reddish brown.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: two nodes
7. Anything else distinctive: Calm and slow

8. Nest description: N/A

 

 

 

#2

11. Location of collection:  North of Dallas TX

2. Date of collection:  July 27
3. Habitat of collection: back yard, airborne with others.
4. Length: 3.5 mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: reddish.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Anything else distinctive: very agitated

8. Nest description: N/A

 

 

 

#3

1. Location of collection:  North of Dallas TX

2. Date of collection:  July 27
3. Habitat of collection: under front porch light
4. Length: 5mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: mostly black.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Anything else distinctive: fast runner

8. Nest description: N/A

 

 

 

Thanks!

[FeedTheAnts]

I'm not good at this, but I'll try. Queen 1 is Solenopsis, queen 2 is possibly Tapinoma melonocephelum, queen 3 is Brachymyrmex? Lasius? Tapinoma?

[ultraex2]

I think queen 1 is Solenopsis, Queen 2 is Pheidole, and queen 3 is L. Niger or Formica.

[Aaron567]

1 is Solenopsis invicta, and I'm gonna say 2 looks to be some kind of Solenopsis thief ant, and 3 could be Nylanderia (or Lasius??)

Edited by Aaron567, July 28 2017 - 8:30 AM.

[cpman]

The first is Solenopsis invicta, the second looks like one of the little yellow Solenopsis theif ants.

The third one is not Lasius. In Texas, those are pretty much confined to the panhandle. Dallas is too far east for Lasius. I count 9 antennal segments on it, which suggests it's Brachymyrmex. From the coloration, it's probably one of the introduced species (either B. patagonicus or B. obscurior).

Edited by cpman, July 28 2017 - 8:55 AM.

[gcsnelling]

1 and 2 are both Solenopsis, invicta and molesta. I agree at this point regarding Brachymyrmex.