7 replies to this topic

[antaioli]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Near Sydney Australia
2. Date of collection: 9 October 2017. 30 degrees c. light rain the day before
3. Habitat of collection: Rock wall next to grass lawn. Close proximity to a Rhytidoponera sp. nest.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 8mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black with green metallic
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Green metallic sheen
7. Distinguishing behavior: Has trouble walking on plastic test tube
8. Nest description:  Small (4-5cm diameter) mounds of grey coloured dirt/rocks

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Did not witness a flight, so not sure if there was one.

 

Hello! I'm looking for help in determining if this is a Rhytidoponera sp. queen or drone? Wings still in tact, only saw this one running along a rock wall next to the lawn.

Thanks for looking!

EDIT: It has shed its wings from one side, leaving the other side still on.

 

Edited by antaioli, October 8 2017 - 11:29 PM.

[T.C.]

Oh, w...www.. wait! Is this a proper ID thread request!?!? Let me get my glasses!



Seriously great pictures. Glad to see anting in Australia is beginning again. This is a queen.

Edited by T.C., October 9 2017 - 7:13 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

Looks like a queen to me.

[Connectimyrmex]

100% a queen. Be careful, though. She might actually be a dspdrew in disguise, trying to test your knowledge of the post rules.

[JackPearl]

Defo a queen, congratulations.

[antaioli]

How exciting! I've heard it's rare to find queens for these guys. She has now dropped all her wings as well.

Thanks for the fast responses as always, I love this forum

Edited by antaioli, October 9 2017 - 12:26 PM.

[antaioli]

She is in a new setup. This will allow me to feed her easily, plus the sand will be easy to walk on. This is my first semi-claustral queen.  

She can only access the middle 4 cells for now, I can flip the little plastic walls to put the hole on the floor and allow access to the other cells.

One of the tubes is blocked, the other has a water test tube.

The container is kept dark inside a cardboard box.

Does this look like a suitable setup for her?

[Connectimyrmex]

Looks great! I've been using something similar for my Myrmica queen.