found two similar ants as pictured
1. Sandy infield of softball diamond, Northern Bergen County, NJ
2. Don't recall exact date, was week of September 17, 2017, probably the 20th
3. Softball field surrounded by some wooded area, frequented by deer. A large number of "volcano" shaped colonies noted throughout the instilled sand. These ants were walking across the infield when collected.
4. 6-7 mm
5. Reddish, possibly some black marks
6. On at least one of them, I was able to photograph 2 spikes on the thorax facing to the rear. 2 petiole nodes. I believe the picture show some detail on mouth parts.
7. Nothing
8. No nest ID, walking in open around dusk.
9. Nothing known about flight, nothing witnessed.
10. Pictures are of both ants. If they appear different, please advise and I'll separate the request. To me they looked substantially the same. There were gathered within several feet of each other.
best guess is myrmica sp., possibly rubra. I have attempted to set up a tube with out world made from dollar store food container. Any direction on how best to handle and care for this genus/species is appreciated. Thank you.
