17 replies to this topic

[Tspivey16]

Hi all,

So I am just getting into the hobby- and found my first ever suspicious ant. I am curious if this is a queen foremost- then if a species can be identified even better.

I was just leaving work today, and found this on the sidewalk (sure my co workers thought I was crazy stopping in the middle of the exit for collection).

This was found in Columbus, OH. The weather is sunny, and right at 60 degrees. Measurement seems to be 1.5 cm.

 

 

[dspdrew]

Wasp. This can help you tell the difference even though your particular wasp is different than the one in this diagram.

 

 

 

It's still a bit early in the year where you are, but in about a month I'm sure you will start finding queens.

[Tspivey16]

Thanks Man, just got the same clarification on another forum. Guess I got lucky it didn't sting me as I picked it up- lol

[Mercutia]

I've made that mistake before. Always has to do with the antennae.

[Gregory2455]

I would've mistaken this for a male.

But it is pretty big for a male...

Edited by Gregory2455, October 20 2014 - 6:22 PM.

[dermy]

It almost looks like one of those Black Soldier Flies or something.

[AntsAreUs]

If you live in North America ants are hibernating soon or now!

[dean_k]

Except for Winter ants.

[dermy]

So what winter ants don't hibernate? How do they survive?

[Gregory2455]

Prenolepis imparis.

[dean_k]

So what winter ants don't hibernate? How do they survive?

 

They forage in winter and kind of go inactive (no hibernation) during summer. According to what I read, they get their bellies big like Honeypot ants during winter and use those stored energy to go through summer.

 

Basically, they are ants on a complete opposite clock.

 

They are also known for painfully slow growth because the queen lays eggs only once a year.

[AntsAreUs]

They forage in winter and kind of go inactive (no hibernation) during summer. According to what I read, they get their bellies big like Honeypot ants during winter and use those stored energy to go through summer.

 

Basically, they are ants on a complete opposite clock.

 

They are also known for painfully slow growth because the queen lays eggs only once a year.

That can all be tested by Gregory when he eventually gets a colony!

[Gregory2455]

Maybe, you have Prenolepis over in Indiana.

[James C. Trager]

Wasp is a bit of a stretch. This is a sawfly, in another, much older branch of Hymenoptera than the ants and relatives. They cannot sting, as their ovipositors are still adapted and used for egg-laying - in plant tissues.

[AntsAreUs]

Maybe, you have Prenolepis over in Indiana.

In fact I have them in my yard living high up in a tree, it will be a while before I get some though. Planning on getting 250 test tubes during the winter! I wish I would have found this forum earlier!!

Edited by Gaige Daughtrey, October 30 2014 - 12:51 PM.

[dspdrew]

If you're talking about Prenolepis imparis, I don't think they live in trees.

[AntsAreUs]

If you're talking about Prenolepis imparis, I don't think they live in trees.

Well I found these climbing up and down my tree, I have found a colony of these once under some bark. I think they actually are Crematogaster.   

Maybe cerasi or do they not live around me?

Edited by Gaige Daughtrey, October 31 2014 - 12:44 PM.

[James C. Trager]

I think they actually are Crematogaster.

Much more likely, Gaige.