33 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

1. Location of collection:  Blythe, California
2. Date of collection:  9-12-2017
3. Habitat of collection:  Desert riparian
4. Length (from head to gaster):  9-10 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  All red with white hairs and a slightly lighter gaster
6. Distinguishing characteristics: No spines, interuggal punctures on head
7. Anything else distinctive: Moves in a wasp like motion typical of P. californicus (desert bicolor variety)
8. Nest description: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P. californicus head

 

 

 

This species' head

 

 

 

P. californicus thorax

 

 

 

This species' thorax

 

[T.C.]

Oh,wow. A second ID request? You losing your anting touch?

[dspdrew]

I think this is might be Pogonomyrmex maricopa. They looked and acted exactly the same as the desert bicolor variety of Pogonomyrmex californicus, except they are all red, slightly larger, and obviously fly very late in the summer as opposed to Spring time.

[dspdrew]

Oh,wow. A second ID request? You losing your anting touch?

 

Haha no I just finally came across something new. I can usually ID them fairly well, but just want some confirmation. I also like making these for informational purposes.

[dspdrew]

You can't see it very well in the pictures, but the interrugal spaces of the head are very punctate, looking like the surface of an orange, while the spaces of the P. californicus specimen of mine are clearly smooth and shiny. I actually noticed this on the thorax too even before I read about that difference on the heads of P. californicus and P. maricopa.

 

P. californicus head

 

 

 

This species' head

 

 

 

P. californicus thorax

 

 

 

This species' thorax

 

[Kujawaorchids]

Sorry cannot help with ID, but had to mention those are great pictures!

[dspdrew]

Sorry cannot help with ID, but had to mention those are great pictures!

 

Thanks.

[Zeiss]

I'm going to agree that it is Pogonomyrmex maricopa.  

[gcsnelling]

Yes, P. maricopa.

[hendicott]

Agreed. Nice pics.

[Kaelwizard]

Are you aware that it can kill you?

[Dukagora]

Are you suggesting the sting from one would be lethal? If so I would have to disagree. Were it true I would be a survivor I guess. We had a nephew about 3 fall onto a hill of a Pogonomyrmex species here and while he certainly had to go to the ER, that was a result of numerous stings. Despite that, he is a perfectly healthy 15 year old now....that's over 100 stings counted by ER staff. He did need an ephineferin shot....but I imagine most of us would with that many stings....

Edited by Dukagora, November 2 2018 - 7:18 PM.

[Dukagora]

Deleted

Edited by Dukagora, November 2 2018 - 7:33 PM.

[dspdrew]

Are you aware that it can kill you?

 

Kill who exactly? Peanuts can kill you too... If you're allergic to them.

[Kaelwizard]

Are you suggesting the sting from one would be lethal? If so I would have to disagree. Were it true I would be a survivor I guess. We had a nephew about 3 fall onto a hill of a Pogonomyrmex species here and while he certainly had to go to the ER, that was a result of numerous stings. Despite that, he is a perfectly healthy 15 year old now....that's over 100 stings counted by ER staff. He did need an ephineferin shot....but I imagine most of us would with that many stings....

The Maricopa harvester ant has the most venomous insect venom. 100 stings can kill you, VERY FAST.

[gcsnelling]

Yah, not so much and venom toxicity varies depending on where you find them.

[Kaelwizard]

Literally every source says they can so I would research before saying something (which I did)

[gcsnelling]

Really, you are saying I should research before posting?

[dspdrew]

Really, you are saying I should research before posting?

 

[nurbs]

Once got stung on the nipples. It was just one sting, but the pain was beyond human comprehension. Thankfully still alive to tell it.