30 replies to this topic

[DesertAntz]

Location: Backyard 

 

Date collected: 10-31-2014

 

Habitat: Desert 

 

Length: Minor = 4-5mm, Major = 6-8mm

 

Coloration: They look plain black from eye level. Close up under light, they have dark red heads and black bodies. 

 

Characteristics: They look to have 2 nodes with spines. 

 

Nest characteristics: Sorry but no pics. Their nest has many different entrances. I counted ~21 different holes within a 10 square foot area. Their mounds are not noticeable at all. 

 

 

 

The first and last pictures are the major. Sorry for the poor quality. 

[DesertAntz]

At risk of embarrassing myself, I want to say it's a type of Solenopsis? 

[AntsAreUs]

Strongylognathus?

[Gregory2455]

Solenopsis sp.

[Gregory2455]

Stupid antweb will not load all the Solenopsis spp. I will try to get a better ID when it loads.

[Gregory2455]

Wait I overlooked the fact that they have spines... That changes things. Look around for more samples. Edit: Sorry about posts, why is the forum not combining them?

Edited by Gregory2455, October 31 2014 - 5:24 PM.

[DesertAntz]

So you're thinking a Solenopsis species, greg? 

 

Or not anymore because of the spines on their nodes? You can see them best in the 3rd picture, of the minor. 

 

Now that I really look at them, I guess they're more "bumps" or "mounds" than they are spines. But I'm not a myrmecologist. 

Edited by DesertAntz, October 31 2014 - 5:45 PM.

[dspdrew]

Wait I overlooked the fact that they have spines... That changes things. Look around for more samples. Edit: Sorry about posts, why is the forum not combining them?

It was only combining consecutive posts made within one minute. I have changed this to two minutes now.

 

So you're thinking a Solenopsis species, greg? 

 

Or not anymore because of the spines on their nodes? You can see them best in the 3rd picture, of the minor. 

 

Now that I really look at them, I guess they're more "bumps" or "mounds" than they are spines. But I'm not a myrmecologist. 

Yeah, if they have spines, they're not Solenopsis.

[DesertAntz]

Hopefully Mr. Trager can shed some light on this. I really wish I had a microscope. Taking adequate ID pics is hard as hell without the proper equipment. 

[Gregory2455]

Yup, like I said, the fact that they have spines changes everything.

[Gregory2455]

Are Leptothorax polymorphic?

[DesertAntz]

Nest pictures 

Their nest entrances are really hard to notice as pictured below 

The entrances are in the middle. They have 2 different nest clusters like this one nearby. It's weird I can't think of why they need so many entrances. 

Edited by DesertAntz, November 1 2014 - 10:06 AM.

[Gregory2455]

The major does not add up with any description. We need James C. Trager!

[Crystals]

I am not familiar with ants of Arizona, so lets try breaking it down step by step.

 

How many genera in Arizona have 2 nodes? 

http://www.antweb.or...nts&images=true

On the link above, on the right size is an option to "Browse Images by" - chose profile for a side view.  You will also have to click on the image as the default image is usually of a tropical ant not found in the selected location.

 

How many of those are in a similar size range?

 

Now look at the shape of the 2 nodes. 

 

What does that narrow it down to?

[Gregory2455]

I already was looking at AntWeb... The major just refuses to add up in the picture.

[DesertAntz]

I mean, Antweb doesn't have every species listed does it? 

 

Based on the profile pics on Antweb, I'd say the node shape resembles Monomorium. 

[Crystals]

I mean, Antweb doesn't have every species listed does it? 

 

Based on the profile pics on Antweb, I'd say the node shape resembles Monomorium. 

You can have antweb break species down by location.  The link I gave only shows Arizona species.

 

A 4-6mm Monomorium? 

 

My first thought was Messor (now veromessor), or possibly a Pogonomyrex species.  But I am not familiar enough with Arizona ants to say for sure.  I would need better pictures, preferably closeups taken outside in light shade.

[Alza]

I've only seen Pheidole and Solenopsis species dig nests like that. It seems there is another one that does this interesting behavior. 

there's also a chance that its a new species  

[DesertAntz]

You can have antweb break species down by location.  The link I gave only shows Arizona species.

 

A 4-6mm Monomorium? 

 

My first thought was Messor (now veromessor), or possibly a Pogonomyrex species.  But I am not familiar enough with Arizona ants to say for sure.  I would need better pictures, preferably closeups taken outside in light shade.

lol I used your link. And yes, Monomorium are small but when it comes to the node shape, Monomorium are the closest resemblance I saw. Of course all the resemblances I can see are without a microscope so... I'm kind of boned. However, I can almost say with certainty these aren't Pogonomyrmex or Veromessor. 

 

 

there's also a chance that its a new species

I was thinking about that too. That'd be funny if it were indeed a new species, and then all these world renowned Myrmecologists wanted to come dig in my yard. 

[Alza]

your lucky, i only have invasive ones in my yard