14 replies to this topic

[tillimon]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Packwood WA USA 
2. Date of collection: 3/24/18
3. Habitat of collection: fir forest
4. Length (from head to gaster): 14-15mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: shiny/matte black with dark red legs
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior: cautious around new things in foraging area
8. Nest description: rotten log

9. Nuptial flight time and date: no nuptial flights happening

 

as I said in my other post if anymore info is need I will try to answer the best I can.

 

 

 

[LC3]

Camponotus modoc. Although this one appears to be a bit small, probably due to the gaster.

[tillimon]

yeah her gaster is noticeably smaller than the queen in my other id post. It is hard to tell but her head and thorax might be smaller as well. 

[Mortamir]

Possibly Camponotus Laevigatus.

One thing not mentioned in his data is the elevation of Packwood. It is in the cascades mountains at several thousand feet.

[Mortamir]

Can we get a good pic of your largest worker?

[LC3]

C. laevigatus would be noticeably more shinier then C. modoc, not to mention have white hairs as opposed to gold and a uniform textured gaster. These pics are indeed not the best though.

[tillimon]

Packwood's elevation is 1053 feet 

 

these are the best I could get.

 

 

Edited by tillimon, May 8 2018 - 6:24 PM.

[tillimon]

Yeah it is really hard to get good pictures with the setup they are in.

C. laevigatus would be noticeably more shinier then C. modoc, not to mention have white hairs as opposed to gold and a uniform textured gaster. These pics are indeed not the best though.

[Mortamir]

What color would say there hair is? Any of the ants including the queen. LC3 mentioned gold but there a lot factors that could be affecting that.
Also how shiny are they. Google pics of Modoc and C. Laevigatus.

Meow

[tillimon]

they do not look like any pictures of C. Laevigatus. to the naked eye in decent lighting she is more matte than shiny. I would say the hair is gray/white. she looks basically the same as the queen in my other id post just smaller and not as shiny.

http://www.formicult...5818-1st-queen/

[LC3]

Banded gaster alternating between matte and shiny would point to C. modoc, not to mention the dark red legs, which although isn't a diagnostic characteristic as far as I'm aware is rather consistent across this species. 

 

I'm only aware of the eastern specimens of C. modoc tending to have pale coloured hair. 

[Mortamir]

Ya most likely P. Modoc
C. Modoc

[TennesseeAnts]

There was a small flight of C. modoc today in Seattle. As well as some Formica obscuripes.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 8 2018 - 7:21 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

Possibly Camponotus Laevigatus.

One thing not mentioned in his data is the elevation of Packwood. It is in the cascades mountains at several thousand feet.

Best way to tell them apart is they're color, gaster, and legs. Modocs are matte black, with purple red legs. Their gaster has golden bands of hair on it, with shiny bands alternating with matte bands. Laevigatus is completely black and shiny, looks VERY different from modoc if you compare side by side .

[tillimon]

 

Possibly Camponotus Laevigatus.

One thing not mentioned in his data is the elevation of Packwood. It is in the cascades mountains at several thousand feet.

Best way to tell them apart is they're color, gaster, and legs. Modocs are matte black, with purple red legs. Their gaster has golden bands of hair on it, with shiny bands alternating with matte bands. Laevigatus is completely black and shiny, looks VERY different from modoc if you compare side by side 

after hearing that she is a modoc then.