15 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Location:  Hot Spring Canyon, Cleveland National Forest, California
Habitat:  Open arid dirt, Oak forest
Coloration, hue and pattern:  Black head and upper thorax, dark orange lower thorax and gaster
Length:  18 mm (major)
Distinguishing characteristics:  Long appendages

[dspdrew]

Camponotus ocreatus

 

We still  have no idea what these are.

[dspdrew]

Here are some better pictures I took of these.
 

 

 

[dspdrew]

Here's pictures of a major I found in Menifee, California.
 

 

 

[NightsWebs]

18MM that's huge! How awesome is that? Good pics too!

[gcsnelling]

OMG ant on a pin not a point, what is the world coming to?

[dspdrew]

Haha, I did that so long ago. The things are so huge it hardly hurts any of the features.

[dspdrew]

So after looking at AntWeb, I'm pretty sure now that these are one of the unnamed species they have listed for California.

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

 

I know color doesn't always mean much, but the color and the pattern is identical, along with everything else. The AntWeb specimen was found around 5000 ft, which is at the top of the range of elevation I have seen the ones I have posted here.

 

It also makes sense that these would be documented somewhere, as they are not uncommon around here. Before I noticed these on AntWeb, I really couldn't figure out how the ones I have posted could possibly not be mentioned anywhere.

[nurbs]

So after looking at AntWeb, I'm pretty sure now that these are one of the unnamed species they have listed for California.

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

 

I know color doesn't always mean much, but the color and the pattern is identical, along with everything else. The AntWeb specimen was found around 5000 ft, which is at the top of the range of elevation I have seen the ones I have posted here.

 

It also makes sense that these would be documented somewhere, as they are not uncommon around here. Before I noticed these on AntWeb, I really couldn't figure out how the ones I have posted could possibly not be mentioned anywhere.

 

We finally agree! These couldn't be C. ocreatus, though "ca02" doesn't sound all too interesting either. How about Camponotus californicus? 

 

Going through antweb species by species was also how I ID'ed C. maritimus, and this one matches up perfectly with what we have seen.

 

EDIT: The only difference I see with the specimens I have and also your images are the legs. The ones we have darken towards the tip, whereas the specimen on Antweb does not. But again, as we all know, coloring is not the best way to ID, but this is without a doubt the closest we have.

Edited by nurbs, August 5 2018 - 3:18 PM.

[Zeiss]

Let's name it something else than that, there are already a lot of californicus.  Camponotus formicultus, haha.

[dspdrew]

Anyone who knows me well, would know how much I love the name ca02. Ever seen the names of my formicariums?

 

I think I'm going to take newer, better microscope pictures with my new camera and focus stack them, which I didn't do at the time I took these.

[Zeiss]

Anyone who knows me well, would know how much I love the name ca02. Ever seen the names of my formicariums?

ca02drew is your new name.

[KBant]

what a jawline 

[LC3]

Camponotus ca-ii

[dspdrew]

We finally saw a nuptial flight of this species and collected a lot of queens. I figured I would post some new information here.

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection:  San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, California
2. Date of collection:  4-1-2019
3. Habitat of collection:  Chaparral
4. Length (from head to gaster): 18 mm (queen)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Queen: Black head and thorax, dark orange gaster, some with slightly striped black and orange gasters
6. Distinguishing characteristics:  Fairly matte
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: 

9. Nuptial flight time and date:  9:00 PM 4-1-2019

 

 

[Rstheant]

MaKe A jOuRnAL!!!

Credits to Leo for the writing style