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Ponera pennsylvanica

Started By 1tsm3jack , Mar 27 2025 7:18 PM

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#1 Offline 1tsm3jack - Posted March 27 2025 - 7:18 PM

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Anyone know how to tell the difference between the queens and workers of P. pennsylvanicus? There's a large population of them in the woods by my apartment but I really cannot tell if I'm seeing the queens or not


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#2 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 27 2025 - 7:49 PM

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Anyone know how to tell the difference between the queens and workers of P. pennsylvanicus? There's a large population of them in the woods by my apartment but I really cannot tell if I'm seeing the queens or not

The queens are usually slightly longer than the workers and have a slightly larger thorax. They are difficult to spot in a colony, I will say. One thing to note is that they can mate on the ground, so be looking out for that. That being said, you will be able to tell the difference pretty quickly if you look at them closely, at least in my experience.


Edited by Ants_Dakota, March 28 2025 - 4:55 AM.

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Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

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#3 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted March 28 2025 - 8:24 AM

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Anyone know how to tell the difference between the queens and workers of P. pennsylvanicus? There's a large population of them in the woods by my apartment but I really cannot tell if I'm seeing the queens or not

The queens are usually slightly longer than the workers and have a slightly larger thorax. They are difficult to spot in a colony, I will say. One thing to note is that they can mate on the ground, so be looking out for that. That being said, you will be able to tell the difference pretty quickly if you look at them closely, at least in my experience.

 

I would concur. Here's an old colony I once had with the queen circled. The abdomen and thorax are noticeably larger than the workers. This species is highly polygynous, so if you come across a nest collect as many ants as you can and worry about identifying the queens later.

XFz7OJ4.jpg


Edited by RushmoreAnts, March 28 2025 - 8:25 AM.

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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

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