6 replies to this topic

[Jamiesname]

I found 14 of these girls wondering around at 7:30pm-8:00pm after their nuptial flight. I'm confident (and hopefull) that they're L. Interjectus, but want to confirm. I also found some sort of Formica Species. I'm assuming she's parasitic because she was under a rock which was the entrance to another Formica species' nest.

Lasius queens:
Caught 6-29.
7mm, pushing 8 max.
They range from red, to yellowish red, to reddish brown.
Other info: caught near several known L. Interjectus colonies. I've been checking my 'traps' everyday for queens. Tonight must have been their first major flight. It rained all day yesterday, today was humid and had a high of 90. It was 87 when I caught them.












Formica Sp.

Same day/time as above
10mm
Same color as the Lasius. In fact I thought it was another one at first glance, but soon realized it wasn't. It has dark bands around the gaster as well.
Other info: As stated above, found near an entrance to another Formica nest, under a stone. She's quite aggressive as well.







Please forgive any grammer/spelling mistakes. It's late and I need to get to bed. Thanks in advance!

Edited by Jamiesname, June 28 2018 - 7:19 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

Lasius interjectus

[Jamiesname]

Lasius interjectus

Thought so, thanks. Any clue on The other one?

[AntsAreUs]

 

Lasius interjectus

Thought so, thanks. Any clue on The other one?

 

Oops, I overlooked that one. My best guess would be Formica dolosa. Formica can be quite hard to ID though.

[MegaMyrmex]

Lasius parasite species and formica sp. I've been looking for a queen like that!

[Jamiesname]

Anyone know what species of Formica this is? Let me know if better pics would help. It was dark when I took those last night.

Edited by Jamiesname, June 29 2018 - 1:06 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

It's difficult to identify pallidefulva-group queens; the workers are much easier so long as your pictures can pick up details like the hair coverage on the mesosoma. Bright, diffuse lighting is important for macro.