7 replies to this topic

[JohnTX]

Can anyone help ID these workers? 

 

I noticed 7 new ant mounds in my front yard today, all seeming to be the same species.  I had seen one or two similar colonies last year in the same area.  All mounds are under or around a large oak tree.

Close inspection shows a bunch of workers at each mound that seem to be "digging out."  

No winged ants present.  We are in the first really warm spell here in Dallas, with rain due tomorrow.  Each colony was doing the exact same thing: creating a mound a few inches away from the entrance to their next.  Some of the mounds were quite big (4x4 inches, 1-2 inches tall).

 

My guess is Acromyrmex.

 

Thanks!

 

1. Location of collection: front yard under oak tree

2. Date of collection 3-26.
3. Habitat of collection:  Dirt under oak tree in front yard
4. Length:  3-4 mm
5. Coloration: reddish brown
6. Distinguishing characteristics:  see pictures, lots of spines
 

 

 

[LC3]

Looks like Trachymyrmex.

 

EDIT:

I'm confident this is Trachymyrmex. We just need a clearer picture of the face (for frontal lobes) and the side of the head. Although based on your location and your description of the large piles of dirt it probably is T. septentrionalis.

Edited by LC3, March 26 2018 - 7:36 PM.

[JohnTX]

Thanks.  Had heavy rains today that turned their dirt piles into mud.  Will try to grab another when things dry out.

 

Excited to try to keep a fungus eater if I can catch one later this year.  Though, I have found little info on how to proper keep them (e.g. types of formicarium, etc.).  I am working the forum search function hard. 

[Aaron567]

Trachymyrmex spp. it is. Most likely septentrionalis since they're the most widespread and common

[Dnail]

envy... no fungus eater in Indonesia 

[sericultivist]

I’m in the Dallas area right now and Trachymyrmex are out in storm doing nest renovations. Be sure to look out for their alates this summer!

[FeedTheAnts]

envy... no fungus eater in Indonesia 

Really? I find that surprising. So there is fungus eaters in TN but not Indonesia.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, March 30 2018 - 1:00 PM.

[LC3]

 

envy... no fungus eater in Indonesia 

Really? I find that surprising. So there is fungus eaters in TN but not Indonesia.

 

Fungus farmers are restricted to the New world, in other words the Americas. They do have the genus Proatta in South East Asia which despite not being a fungus farmer looks strikingly similar to Atta and Acromyrmex.