2 replies to this topic

[Zpyzix]

Hello! I just caught roughly 6 of these new queens that were flying around 6-7pm ET here in MD USA. I didn't think we had ants that still had nuptial flights in October in roughly 70ish f weather.

 

They are mostly amberish in color, some a little red, unfortunately my phone has a hard time focusing on them and I'll try to take a better picture tomorrow with more light.

 

They were flying around my house, noticed one getting caught in a spider web and manged to free itself and I brought it inside. I came out with a few test tubes and started collecting more landing on my patio.

 

https://i.imgur.com/D8Skevt.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/GM5SyA6.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/MWyK5dc.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/kObJZEw.jpg

 

They are now in separate test tubes each until I can figure out if they are polygynous. They seemed to have been cleaning each other when I had them in pairs in test tubes but I wasn't sure if they would only be friendly temporarily.

 

I'm guessing they're Lasius neoniger since they're too small to be solenopsis molesta, but the ones I caught are darker than the pictures I see on the ant wikis and google images. 

 

Then there was this little queen I think wandering around the sidewalk wingless. Around my house is normally dominated by Tetramorium E. But I was surprised to see this one wandering around. 

 

https://i.imgur.com/r3dq6DK.jpg

 

I'm guessing Lasius niger? Might not even be a queen with such a small gastor.

 

Any help or tips would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

-S6

 

 

 

[Batspiderfish]

Don't forget your measurements!

These are all Lasius social parasites. Looks like late-flying Lasius interjectus and Lasius claviger for the latter queen, although the pictures are a little rough and there are (wait for it) no measurements.

For more info on founding social parasite queens, there's this: http://www.formicult...cial-parasites/

Edited by Batspiderfish, October 21 2017 - 9:26 PM.

[Zpyzix]

I'll try to get measurements and better pictures today, I just get scared bothering ants more than I should and don't like stressing them out. If they're all social parasites I might be in a bind then since they can't start colonies on their own.