6 replies to this topic

[James C. Trager]

Yes.
Several of the fire ant species have a nearly or indeed all-black color variant, S. xyloni, S. geminata, S. invicta (this last only in a few locations in western Mato Grosso, Brazil).

There are also some partly or all-black small Solenopsis, but the great majority are brown, red or yellowish. 

 

On the other hand, in Australia, Asia and Africa, there are many reddish Monomorium species, including some that look a LOT like little Solenopsis, until you examine their antennae.

[dspdrew]

Black S. xyloni? That would be weird to see, as would a red Monomorium.

[James C. Trager]

Well, here's M. sydneyense, a red one form Australia http://www.alexander...neyense1-XL.jpg.

And some black S. xyloni, well, the minors anyway. http://www.tightloop...hp?photo_id=493

Edited by James C. Trager, December 1 2014 - 12:52 PM.

[dspdrew]

I totally would have thought those S. xyloni were S. invicta.

[James C. Trager]

s.Well, sorta. But these are much darker, especially the gaster.
But when I was studying variation in S. invicta in South America back in the 1980s, I did find some colonies this black at several locations in the state of Mato Gross, Brazil. I also found some down there that were golden, like S. aurea. S. invicta in the USA is a small genetic subset of the species in South America.

. 

Edited by James C. Trager, December 7 2014 - 7:46 AM.

[Gregory2455]

I think my S.xyloni from Mountainview (I think that is the name) is a black variant. She used to be pretty red, but now her and all her workers are almost all black...

[drtrmiller]

I think my S.xyloni from Mountainview (I think that is the name) is a black variant. She used to be pretty red, but now her and all her workers are almost all black...

 

The best way to distinguish subtle coloration differences (black, dark brown, copper or reddish hues) is if they are backlit, or very well lit, and viewed with magnification.