24 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

I was out harassing some local Pogonomyrmex today when I noticed a small mound with small black ants going to and fro. They looked like Argentine ants but smaller and quicker. Any clues what they could be?

 

 

Edited by Foogoo, November 29 2014 - 9:53 AM.

[drtrmiller]

Impossible to tell due to the quality of photos, but possibly Pheidole?

 

You'll absolutely have to get clearer shots that are less dark and show features more clearly in order to even begin to speculate as to the species.

[Foogoo]

Impossible to tell due to the quality of photos, but possibly Pheidole?

 

You'll absolutely have to get clearer shots that are less dark and show features more clearly in order to even begin to speculate as to the species.

 

Yeah that's my fault, they woke up quick from refrigeration so I was scrambling to get a few shots with my phone.

[drtrmiller]

Camera flash may help lighten things up.

[Gregory2455]

Dorymyrmex insanus. I have never been so sure answering an ID. This is Dorymyrmex insanus.

[drtrmiller]

Now that you say it, that is probably more likely, especially given the location.

[Chromerust]

D. Insanus are often found living among pogonomyrmex


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[Gregory2455]

Here is an older image of my colony of Dorymyrmex insanus.

[Foogoo]

Your queen never shed her wings?

 

Thanks! I was thinking maybe that's what they were, since they really did run around like they were insane, but I've never seen them before. Their mound (picture too big to post) also looked identical to one online.

[dspdrew]

Yeah I agree. These make little three to four inch volcano-like mounds.

[James C. Trager]

Just want to say that I agree regarding the D. insanus ID.

 

And about those "black Solenopsis"???...

Edited by James C. Trager, November 28 2014 - 7:49 AM.

[gcsnelling]

Well Dorymyrmex sp. anyway.

Edited by gcsnelling, November 29 2014 - 6:29 AM.

[James C. Trager]

My comment above was an oblique hint to Foogoo to edit the title. Now a direct hint.

[dspdrew]

My comment above was an oblique hint to Foogoo to edit the title. Now a direct hint.

Is it that there is no such thing as a black Solenopsis? S. invicta almost look black sometimes.

 

Either way, it would be best if once an ant has been identified, the title at least be changed to contain the correct species. It helps people out a lot when they're searching for answers. Location as well.

 

Well Dorymyrmex sp. anyway.

I totally get that. I recently found what I thought was D. bicolor, but after getting her workers, I can see it's definitely (Edit: after looking again, maybe not definitely ) not D. bicolor. The workers actually look like some other "D. insanus" I've seen before. There's clearly a few different species there.

Edited by dspdrew, December 1 2014 - 6:55 AM.

[Foogoo]

My comment above was an oblique hint to Foogoo to edit the title. Now a direct hint.

 

People have told me I don't read hints very well, I can't disagree.

[Gregory2455]

There are black Solenopsis. Just not in California...

[Tpro4]

When you put in chicken pieces, are they raw or cooked? I asking to feed my queens

[drtrmiller]

When you put in chicken pieces, are they raw or cooked? I asking to feed my queens

 

I think you're going to end up with a mess if you're contemplating feeding meats of any kind to a small colony.  

 

Larger colonies with plenty of larvae do much better with management of protein granules (small bits of meat that are broken off for storage), including exhibiting non-destructive hoarding behavior.  Smaller colonies may also hoard, but will be more susceptible to mold since food does not get processed as quickly.  

 

Eventually, any meat the colony stores will rot and will cause a terrible odor.

[Gregory2455]

Eventually, any meat the colony stores will rot and will cause a terrible odor.

I know this first hand... :sick2:

[Tpro4]

Okay, but how raw or cooked?