12 replies to this topic

[StayLoki]

1. Location of collection: Ulster, NY, US
2. Date of collection: 5.20.18
3. Habitat of collection: under a brick on an old wooden railing, nestled in the moistened grains.
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~6mm?
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black, shiny
6. Distinguishing characteristics: large head/mandibles, point on gaster
7. Distinguishing behavior: slow 🐌
8. Nest description: nestled in old wood split grains
9. Nuptial flight time and date: n/a

Edited by StayLoki, May 20 2018 - 12:54 PM.

[rdurham02]

Appears to be Crematogaster sp.. to me.

[StayLoki]

I think you're right.. Thank you so much!

[StayLoki]

I like to just capture queens with a cotton ball, dab them, and when they cling to it just place in the entrance to the tt. Now that I think about it, she totally lifted her gaster over her back 'attacking' the cotton ball and took a minute to latch on. I was hoping for camponotous but she's too small, and crematogaster it is! Lol
Really appreciate it, ty rdurham

[VoidElecent]

This is Crematogaster sp., although I think 6 mm is too short. Please check your measurements again.

[Skwiggledork]

The care sheet for C.cerasi on this site says they are 7mm. My digital calipers are dead at the moment, so I can only say for sure my queen is between 6-9mm(bigger than 5 smaller than 10). Antmaps.org says there are only two species of Crematogaster in NY, C.cerasi and C.linolata. From what I've read they are almost impossible to tell apart without a microscope and experience. Either way it's a cutie.

[StayLoki]

Yea I'm thinking she may be around 7mm? Sorry about that.. But deff not 8 or any bigger.
I just caught an umbratus that's 6, and she's hardly any larger, which is still small for them right?! Lol

It was Sunday Funday at my neighbors, just chilling on the porch they use the brick to hold down laundry to dry on the railing, can you believe that shizz?!
And there she was.
*always carry ant stuff with you lolololol I had no idea she'd be there*

[rdurham02]

I like to just capture queens with a cotton ball, dab them, and when they cling to it just place in the entrance to the tt. Now that I think about it, she totally lifted her gaster over her back 'attacking' the cotton ball and took a minute to latch on. I was hoping for camponotous but she's too small, and crematogaster it is! Lol
Really appreciate it, ty rdurham

Your welcome! Best of luck with her, Crematogaster are a fun genus!

[CNewton]

Very nice find. Grats!

[StayLoki]

She died! I dunno she was fine for 4-5 days.. it got kind of cold in my room one night, I left the window open..
Are they super sensitive to temp changes?
Rip little queen, she was so cool, I was really hoping she'd found..
😥 lol

[Skwiggledork]

I haven't heard of them being super sensitive to temp changes, but on the other side of the coin I haven't heard them not being sensitive either. I haven't noticed it in my personal experience. I caught four queens, two drowned from noob test tube mistakes, the other two survived hibernation of just being put in the fridge with no acclimation. The two that survived both have workers and are in a room that has been swinging from 68f-81f every day and are still laying/caring for eggs. From what I've read sometimes queens just don't make it. Might not have been anything you did or didn't do.

[StayLoki]

I'm so bummed but I guess it happens..
My other queens are fine, so maybe she 'just died'

I'll just have to keep looking 👍 lol

[Mettcollsuss]

She looks more like C. cerasi to me.