16 replies to this topic

[Mortamir]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: 10 miles east of Ravensdale WA
2. Date of collection: 05/13/2018
3. Habitat of collection: Mature pine forest
4. Length (from head to gaster): 16 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black head and Abdomen. Thorax is dark red
6. Distinguishing characteristics: na
7. Distinguishing behavior: na
8. Nest description: unknown

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 05/13/2018 1800

[TennesseeAnts]

This might be Camponotus herculeanus. My one colony of this ant died after hibernation this year....
Lucky! Can you get some clearer pictures of her thorax?

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 14 2018 - 8:31 PM.

[Mortamir]

How will that help you?

[LC3]

C. herculeanus queens have the plate plateau looking thing on their mesosoma black, red highlights on the legs and the parts under the plate.

C. novaeboracensis has a completely red thorax, may range from maroon/dark red to light red. They have a distinctive 'X' pattern on the back of their mesosoma. It looks like the entirety of the thorax is red so I'm pretty sure this is C. novaeboracensis.

[Mortamir]

Ok no problem. I will get it tomorrow.

[TennesseeAnts]

I never new C. noveaboricensis flew this early...

[LC3]

This is the time they seem to fly on the west coast, although April and May are usually the time when most Camponotus start flying.

I forgot to mention the size matches C. novaeboracensis. C. herculeanus tend to be a tad smaller I’m pretty sure.

[TennesseeAnts]

Well then, I better start looking for Camponotus queens!

[Canadian anter]

Camponotus herculeanus are larger than novaeborecensis. We'd need a better picture from above. Camponotus novaeborecensis seem to be moving west

[TennesseeAnts]

Camponotus herculeanus are larger than novaeborecensis. We'd need a better picture from above. Camponotus novaeborecensis seem to be moving west

What do you mean by "moving west"?

[Canadian anter]

I'm seeing more and more reports of CAmponotus novaeborecensis in Washington, Oregon, California, etc

[LC3]

Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t C. herculeanus around 14-16mm and C. novaeboracensis are 16mm.

I’m not exactly sure if C. novaeboracensis is ‘moving west’, rather more people are finding them or either their population here has increased for whatever reason.

Edited by LC3, May 16 2018 - 5:55 PM.

[Canadian anter]

It's just that I once saw a specimen from Oregon and Batspiderfish said he didn't know they occured so westward.

[Mortamir]

Ok here are a couple of pictures straight down of the thorax and one of the abdomen.

[TennesseeAnts]

C. novaeboricensis! My colony has 11 workers now. Good luck!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 16 2018 - 7:12 PM.

[Mortamir]

Oh I have several colonies of them. I just didn't know it.🤯

[TennesseeAnts]

Lol. All but one of my Camponotus spp. died after hibernation.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 16 2018 - 8:52 PM.