4 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

1. Location of collection:  Trabuco Canyon, California
2. Date of collection:  8-2-2017
3. Habitat of collection:  Oak Forest
4. Length (from head to gaster):  6mm (queen), 2mm (worker)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Queen - Rust color, brown gaster; Worker - Rust color thorax, maize gaster, brown head
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Short spines
7. Anything else distinctive:
8. Nest description:

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 5:00 AM, 8-2-2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VoidElecent]

According to AntWiki, Pheidole cerebrosior typically live in "evergreen-oak-woodland[s] in mountain canyons".

Edited by VoidElecent, September 23 2017 - 8:59 AM.

[dspdrew]

I know how hard it is to ID Pheidole in California, especially without majors, but I figured I would add this since this is one I have not found before. The colors are different than most I've seen. When I first found the queen I thought it looked a lot like Pheidole gilvescens, but I'm pretty sure those are only found in the desert. Then once the workers showed up, I can see they look a lot different than P. gilvescens. It is slightly larger as well.

[gcsnelling]

With luck majors will arrive soon.

[AntsCalifornia]

How do you get pictures like that? What camera do you use. Pictures like this would be helpful since I've got many similar looking queens, but they are different I know because they are slightly different and workers are different. I also have lots of queens that are red with black-looking gasters, and they all look pretty much the same in the pictures I'm getting. I'm currently using an iphone 6, its the best I can get right now.