35 replies to this topic

[kellakk]

I collected part of a Solenopsis sp. colony under a rock I flipped.  I know it's Solenopsis because they look extremely similar to Solenopsis invicta that we have around here, plus they're polymorphic.  I got the queen, some major workers, about 20 minor workers, and a nice-sized pile of brood.

 

1. Location of collection: Trail near residential areas.

2. Date of collection: 1-14-15
3. Habitat of collection: Disturbed chaparral.
4. Length: No clue.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Queen is dark red like a Pogonomyrmex californicus worker.  The minors vary from all red to red with a brown/black gaster. The majors are all red with a lighter colored gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: The only thing I can tell clearly is that there are two petiole nodes, and that the eyes are small. 
7. Anything else distinctive:
8. Nest description: As stated previously, the nest was under 
9 . Pictures: Any photo I get will be taken with a potato, so they're not really worth posting. I know photos are the best thing to use to ID anything, but I can't get a good pic of the queen and the workers are too small. If anyone has a good camera around here please let me know so I can borrow it?

 

 

Edit: I made a mistake when I declared that it was Solenopsis sp.  Oops.  

 

Edited by kellakk, January 27 2015 - 2:07 PM.

[Gregory2455]

Solenopsis xyloni.

[Gregory2455]

Look like this?

[kellakk]

Solenopsis xyloni.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Why do you think it's not Solenopsis amblychila?

 

That pic looks similar, but the queen and the workers have less black. 

[Gregory2455]

Color varies, but Solenopsis amblychila and Solenopsis aurea workers are yellow.

[Gregory2455]

Example of Solenopsis amblychila by Alex Wild.

[Gregory2455]

Never mind... The image you posted in your journal shows host S.xyloni workers, with a S.amblychila queen and workers. Solenopsis amblychila are suspected to be parasitic. Very interesting find!

[kellakk]

I see. Some of the workers look like Solenopsis xyloni, but some of them look like Solenopsis amblychila, like I thought.  Is it really parasitism? If so, that's awesome that I stumbled across it. For a second I thought that I just suck at colors  . 

[Gregory2455]

Seriously... That is so cool... The envy a few people must be feeling... I know Drew had a few queens of this species this year, but they died. Me, I just like yellow Solenopsis.

[Foogoo]

Just curious, what was the area like you found them? Urban, empty lot, hiking trail, etc? I'm not too far from Chino and want to know where good anting would be.

 

Do Solenopsis not dig tunnels?

[kellakk]

Just curious, what was the area like you found them? Urban, empty lot, hiking trail, etc? I'm not too far from Chino and want to know where good anting would be.

 

Do Solenopsis not dig tunnels?

 

The area I found them in is hiking trails in hilly chaparral.  Kind of like Chino Hills State Park.  From what I've seen Solenopsis spp. both dig tunnels and nest under rocks. I've found colonies of them in both microhabitats (back when I just thought of them as little red ants )

[Gregory2455]

I will not rest until I get a colony of these too now! Seriously the envy hurts.

[kellakk]

I will not rest until I get a colony of these too now! Seriously the envy hurts.

 

I commonly find these red/yellow ants under stones. I wasn't interested in ants until recently, though, so I never thought of bringing them home. 

[Gregory2455]

If you get another one, I will seriously organize a trade.

[kellakk]

If you get another one, I will seriously organize a trade.

 

 I flipped another colony the same day I got that one.  The queen wasn't visible, though, so I left it alone.  If I do get another then I'll post it here.

[kellakk]

Good news, I found another colony!   I wasn't able to collect as much brood, but I found out something special: they're polygynous!  And in a mature colony!

 

 

 

The workers and brood I collected aren't included in the pictures.  I left two queens with that colony too!

[Foogoo]

How? Under a rock again? But good for you!

[kellakk]

How? Under a rock again? But good for you!

 

Yup! Like I said, I've found colonies of the same species under rocks often. The queens seem to clutch the bottom of the rock and the brood is mostly there as well. I forgot to take pictures of it since I was scrambling to get the queens.

[Gregory2455]

I would try to find some more. You seem to be in an area dominated by them.

[BugFinder]

Congratulations!!  Great job!!