7 replies to this topic

[MadsGH]

I've been putting off this ID request for so long my queen had her first workers! Oops.

Unless otherwise specified, the descriptions apply to both the queen and the workers.

 

1. Location of collection: Pool in Grand Terrace, CA
2. Date of collection: Jan 12, 2018
3. Habitat of collection: "Oasis" suburban area, lots of greenery surrounded by sandy ground with very little water
4. Length: Roughly 10mm (1cm-ish)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark brown/red, light fuzz 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Squarish head, two petiole nodes, Workers have teardrop-shaped gasters
7. Distinguishing behavior: Queen is pretty bold compared to her workers, Workers near-constantly vibrate gasters when disturbed
8. Nest description: N/A

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Jan 12, sometime late afternoon

 

(the black rings in the pictures are my macgyvered micro 'lens', ahah)

 

 

 

[Wilbo62]

Definitely a Solenopsis species. Looks to me like Solenopsis Invicta.

[Bracchymyrmex]

Solenopsis xyloni or Solenopsis invicta

[ZllGGY]

definitely Solenopsis Invicta  i think they are very commonly found in pools and in CA so uh do what you want with her

[VoidElecent]

At this size, I'd definitely stick with S. invicta.

[AnthonyP163]

Solenopsis invicta. I think you're supposed to freeze them in most places in California.

[MadsGH]

Oh wow, not the species I was expecting to get for my first colony. Though, they seem to have all the traits I was hoping to get in a colony, so I think I'll take on their challenge.  Thanks all, here's hoping I don't let them grow too big! 

[gcsnelling]

Sadly this is indeed Solenopsis invicta.