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Ambler, Pennsylvania: 5/26/2018


Best Answer Batspiderfish , May 26 2018 - 11:29 AM

The hairy, dark queen with an acidopore and no standing hairs on the scapes is most likely Nylanderia parvula.

The relatively hairless, first male is probably Tapinoma sessile.

The final two males look to be Camponotus nearcticus, assuming the hairless gena trait caries over to the males. I can't seem to access HOL to check.

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#1 Offline VoidElecent - Posted May 26 2018 - 10:52 AM

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  • LocationPhiladelphia, PA.

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Ambler, Pennsylvania.
2. Date of collection: May 26, 2018
3. Habitat of collection: Swimming pool

 

Criteria 4-9 will be answered individually per each specimen. "Distinguishing behavior" and "nest description" will be excluded, as each specimen was found deceased and collected from the same swimming pool. Nuptial flight time and date are also not known, although I will provide a rough estimate of a range.

 

Ant A: female alate, maybe Nylanderia.


4. Length (from head to gaster): 4-4.5 mm

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Brown with lighter legs and antennae.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: One petiole node.

7. Nuptial flight time and date: Likely earlier today.
 

LOMNcLM.jpg

 

V589uWQ.jpg

 

aqBhZ7E.jpg

 

Ant B: F/M alate, maybe Tapinoma sessile.

 

4. Length (from head to gaster): 3.75-4.25 mm

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Brown mesosoma with darker head and gaster; yellow-orange legs.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: One petiole node.

7. Nuptial flight time and date: Likely earlier today.

 

2MU5x4r.jpg

 

uXfNfTb.jpg

 

kz2DRtK.jpg

 

Note: Ants C & D are two specimens of presumably the same species.

 

Ants C&D: male alates, maybe myrmentoma group Camponotus.

 

4. Length (from head to gaster): 5.5-6 mm

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Shiny black with very dull shades of red or light brown at joints.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: One petiole node.

7. Nuptial flight time and date: Likely earlier today or last night.

 

[C]

 

Pkqg2wJ.jpg

 

[D]

 

1xCoTEV.jpg

 

ZQ9ub73.jpg

 

Edit: I apologize, in advance, for the quality of the images. I know they are noisy; I used this photo session as an opportunity to experiment with ISO and other features.


Edited by VoidElecent, May 26 2018 - 10:54 AM.

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#2 Offline noebl1 - Posted May 26 2018 - 11:27 AM

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I agree C and D do look like C. Myrmentoma males.  Before I saw their measurements, they looked like C. pennsylvanicus.  Not sure if we'll be able to narrow that down more than that unfortunately.



#3 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted May 26 2018 - 11:29 AM   Best Answer

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The hairy, dark queen with an acidopore and no standing hairs on the scapes is most likely Nylanderia parvula.

The relatively hairless, first male is probably Tapinoma sessile.

The final two males look to be Camponotus nearcticus, assuming the hairless gena trait caries over to the males. I can't seem to access HOL to check.


Edited by Batspiderfish, May 26 2018 - 11:31 AM.

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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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Black lives still matter.





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