7 replies to this topic

[Dravlynn]

I'm gonna try to get into antkeeping and nuptial flight is about to begin, the species i was looking for was pavement ants (tetramorium immigrans/caespitum) but instead i found this queen walking about. I can start a colony with her but i have no clue what type of ant it is, I'm positive its within the formica genus but different ants in this genus behave very differently. Some details i know about this ant is, it was found in nothern Utah, I find workers on trees alot, probably in a mutual relationship with the aphids. they're also out and about on the sidewalk during the late morning and early afternoons, probably foraging. but i don't really know anything else about this ant. These are the best images I'm able to get of the queen, i can probably get some images of workers tommorow if i need to, if anyone can help me identify it and maybe give some info about it that would be amazing!

 

 

[Derpy]

This looks like a Camponotus species to me.

[Canadian anter]

I would guess Camponotus floridanus or tortuganus

[LC3]

Please follow the ant identification template, a lot more convenient for both parties.

http://www.formicult...t-a-new-thread/

 

As it currently stands this is a Camponotus queen. My 2 cents are C. discolor, or something Myrmentoma.

[Dravlynn]

It looks almost exactly like c. Discolor or one of the camponotus species. I'll go ahead and give info using the template if it helps. But I think it is a camponotus of some sort.
1. Location (on a map) of collection:
Ogden Utah
2. Date of collection:
May 7
3. Habitat of collection:
Lawn, was found wandering concrete near some grass growing in the cracks.
4. Length (from head to gaster):
About 8-10mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:
Reddish brown head and both a darker brown/black color as well as the red on the thorax, completely dark brown or black gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics:
The thorax is 2 colors, with a reddish brown coffin shape on the top of the thorax with the rest of the thorax a darker black/brown color.
7. Distinguishing behavior:
Workers that I see move really fast and erratically, they seem to be in trees alot possibly in a mutual relationship with the aphids. I also find them foraging on the pavement and grass.
8. Nest description:
I don't exactly know, I found a nest of a similar looking ant in a flower pot a long time ago, they dug through and lived inside the potting soil

9. Nuptial flight time and date:
At my best guess, it starts early May, when I found this ant, I also found other ants like this one with wings and a male ant that was completely black and slender like that of a wasp. It's head was really small in proportion to it's body.

That's all the information I have about this ant, but I do think it is a camponotus queen. I'll research more into it when it can.

[Shifty189]

I would guess Camponotus floridanus or tortuganus

Looks a bit dark to be Camponotus floridanus, and they are also mostly in Florida as there name suggests. I don’t think they are in Utah

I don’t know anything about tortuganus.

[super_oil]

It could be C. decipiens or C. discolor, the size fits but more pictures on the thorax could help.

For comparison, here is a picture of a C. Discolor alate from AntWeb:

 

 

And here is a picture of a C. decipiens alate from AntWeb:

 

Either way very nice catch! Camponotus queens are usually rarer than Tetramorium queens and more demanded. I wish you good luck on founding a colony!

Edited by super_oil, May 9 2018 - 8:45 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

that's a pretty camponotus species... Queens like these from the myrmentoma subgenus of camponotus tend to grow faster, so if your inpatient, your in luck. Welcome forum by the way!

Just a tip, next time you have an ID request, just post in the Ant ID thread, more people will respond .

Edited by YsTheAnt, May 9 2018 - 9:22 PM.