12 replies to this topic

[YsTheAnt]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Cupertino, CA
2. Date of collection: Jan 14, 2018
3. Habitat of collection: Oak forest
4. Length (from head to gaster):13mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: light yellow thorax, slightly darker red head, black gaster
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Large size, light color except for gaster
7. Distinguishing behavior: Aggressive towards Prenolepis Imparis worker.
8. Nest description: Nest in dirt, about five inches diameter circle of loose dirt around nesting site.

9. Nuptial flight time and date:

Found by excavating small fraction of nest, left rest of it intact. It's a major. Maybe C. Vicinus?

Edit: pictures:
http://imgur.com/QyoGPVQ

Fixed measurements. Got it to hold still, 13mm.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 14 2018 - 4:57 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

Photos?

[YsTheAnt]

Photos?

Ok, did it

[FeedTheAnts]

Genus: Camponotus - AntWeb

check this^^^^^

[YsTheAnt]

Genus: Camponotus - AntWeb
check this^^^^^

I checked the bay area section and couldn't tell. Nurbs thinks it's vicinus.

[VoidElecent]

C. sansabeanus minor worker, perhaps? Maybe C. sayi? Do you have any better photos?

Edited by VoidElecent, January 14 2018 - 6:16 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

It's a media or a major for sure. Not sansabeanus, too dark coloration. I'll see if I can get better photos. I'm leaning towards Vicinus, because it's too light to be C. Sansabeanus and too large to be C. Sayi

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 14 2018 - 7:12 PM.

[nurbs]

Post that pic you sent with the darker worker. 

 

You won't be able to get a 100% confirmation til you get a closeup headshot that shows the base of the scapes. They are flattened on C. vicinus.

 

But 90% sure this is C. vicinus. C. sansabeanus queens can be dark, but the workers are always yellow or orange colored, not black, which makes this more likely to be C. vicinus.

 

Could possible be C. semistestaceus, but those are a tad smaller and occur in arid desert and dry flatland environments, since you mentioned in your text this was found near the mountains. 

 

 

EDIT:

Use this key:

http://www.formicult...ates-southwest/

Edited by nurbs, January 14 2018 - 7:14 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

Post that pic you sent with the darker worker.

You won't be able to get a 100% confirmation til you get a closeup headshot that shows the base of the scapes. They are flattened on C. vicinus.

But 90% sure this is C. vicinus. C. sansabeanus queens can be dark, but the workers are always yellow or orange colored, not black, which makes this more likely to be C. vicinus.

Could possible be C. semistestaceus, but those are a tad smaller and occur in arid desert and dry flatland environments, since you mentioned in your text this was found near the mountains.

Ok, the one my friend sent you?
Edit: Here's all the close to decent pics I could get: http://imgur.com/a/v2JR8

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 14 2018 - 7:32 PM.

[nurbs]

You'll need much closer and clearer pics of the head for a positive ID - like this video at the 10 sec marker:

 

https://youtu.be/Ocjar728k-E?t=10

 

See the base of her scapes? Not flattened. 

 

Don't stress it. Pretty sure this is C. vicinus. 

[YsTheAnt]

Alright, I think it is Vicinus, as it really doesn't match any other species that is known in my area, according to antweb. I really couldn't take such great photos, I'm using a smartphone, but your photos are truly amazing! Thanks for helping me out

[nurbs]

Alright, I think it is Vicinus, as it really doesn't match any other species that is known in my area, according to antweb. I really couldn't take such great photos, I'm using a smartphone, but your photos are truly amazing! Thanks for helping me out

 

 

That was taken with a smartphone too. Get a clipon magnifier from Amazon. They're like $15.

 

Key is to properly light it. I use LED lights. Should make a tutorial on this!

[YsTheAnt]

What brand do you use? I have one that has a rubber band, not nearly as great as yours in terms of field of view.

I'd love a tutorial on your lighting, truly amazing stuff!

Also, the light colored worker was a callow major. I checked the nest again, and the medias have black heads, the majors have red heads, and the minors are identical to the medias, though slightly smaller, with dark red or orange thoraxes, and black gasters and heads. This explains why I couldn't find any images that matched the major, it was a callow... The dark colored worker was just a dark shade of red, but the poor lighting made it look black.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 15 2018 - 2:37 PM.