8 replies to this topic

[Evanthomas89]

 

So yesterday I was very excited when I as crawling around looking at some parasitic Lasius queens and I stumbled across a foraging trail of Aphaenogaster sp. workers. I wasn't able to follow them since it was getting dark and I was getting eaten alive. I am definitely going to be back in that area though to keep an eye out for nuptial flights. 

 

Thank you to MrILoveTheAnts for identifying these as Aphaenogaster for me. 

 

Location: Lakewood, NJ 

 

You can view a video here. 

[FeedTheAnts]

Wow, those are beautiful ants and photos! Those workers look just like the ones in my area that I see every so often, I'm pretty sure it is A.fulva.

[Spamdy]

Nice Picture! What macro lens or camera did you use?

[Evanthomas89]

Wow, those are beautiful ants and photos! Those workers look just like the ones in my area that I see every so often, I'm pretty sure it is A.fulva.

 

I'll have to look more into the Aphaenogaster in my area, since I hadn't seen any until now I haven't had to research them as much as the more common species around here. 

 

Nice Picture! What macro lens or camera did you use?

 

Thank you! I use my iPhone 6S with a cheap clip on macro lens from the grocery store. I have a passion for photography but haven't been able to afford a nice DSLR but I make the most out of my phone. 

[Lonewolf6724]

I just found a queen a few days ago. I don't know much about them, but it hasnt laid any eggs yet.

[Evanthomas89]

I just found a queen a few days ago. I don't know much about them, but it hasnt laid any eggs yet.

 

Chris found me an Apaenogaster queen when we were out anting a couple weeks ago but she hasn't laid eggs yet either. How is yours doing? 

[ultraex2]

A lot of Aphaenogaster species are parasitic - do you know which species it is?

[Evanthomas89]

A lot of Aphaenogaster species are parasitic - do you know which species it is?

 

No actually and I had no idea a lot of them are parasitic. There is a video of her on MrILoveTheAnts' video. Let me link you to the part. I would take a picture now but my macro lens broke but the new one should be here tomorrow! 

 

https://youtu.be/ndUlgd6Zqds?t=19m32s

[ultraex2]

 

A lot of Aphaenogaster species are parasitic - do you know which species it is?

 

No actually and I had no idea a lot of them are parasitic. There is a video of her on MrILoveTheAnts' video. Let me link you to the part. I would take a picture now but my macro lens broke but the new one should be here tomorrow! 

 

https://youtu.be/ndUlgd6Zqds?t=19m32s

 

 

That definitely looks like Rudis - they should be fully claustral.