1. Location (on a map) of collection: Lindsay, CA,
2. Date of collection: 6/3/2018
3. Habitat of collection: Both found on the sidewalk outside of a fast food chain.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Both are approximately 8-9 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Head, thorax and petiole/post-petiole on both are a ruddy reddish orange hue, while the gaster is a dark brown or black. Both ants seem very glossy and smooth.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: The waist of both is quite obviously segmented into petiole and post-petiole. Antennae are clubbed at the end. Eyes are small and located lower down on the sides of the head, closer to the antennal fossa. The Mandibles are very circular and thin, with an obvious space between the clypeus and the front plane of the mandible. Several white settae are quite obvious on the gaster and only occur along the segments.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Both were very energetic when collected, but when placed in test tubes became almost lethargic, barely moving at all. This is the reason the I was only able to get a single angle on both; it was the best angle I had.
8. Nest description: Unfortunately, I didn't see the nest.
9. Nuptial flight time and date:The flight took place on 6/382018, but the time I'm not sure of. Both were collected around 21:45.
To take a more conversational tone, I'm not sure why all my pictures are posting upside-down. I'm not sure if I can edit them in the album to right-side-up.
In any case, I'm fairly sure that these are both examples of Solenopsis xyloni, although considering the area here it might be invicta as well.
Frankly, with my lack of experience, it's probably something else entirely.
Here's the first one:
Another post will be following this one, as four other queens of a different species were collected at the same time.
And as always, the help is enthusiastically appreciated!
Cheers!