7 replies to this topic

[Waganga]

Found these Pogonomyrmex queens at a local park. But, as I was researching Pogonomyrmex, I learned some species are fully claustral, while others are only semi claustral! I'm trying to get their specific species, so I know if I need to feed them/give them an outworld right away.

 

I've got five of them total - Tiny (seems smaller than the others, possibly a different species?), Demeter, Wing (won't settle down, probably infertile), 4 and 5 (no names yet, lol). I think they're all the same, except perhaps Tiny. Demeter and Tiny both laid two to four eggs overnight. 

 

Location: Urban park, Northglenn, Colorado, USA

Date: 6/29/18 and 6/30/18

Elevation: about 5700ft

Time: Between between 12 noon and 3pm

Length: 9mm, except for Tiny, who is about 7mm

Coloration: Moflippin orange. They were practically fluorescent in the sunshine, but they're still very orange looking even indoors. Lots of hairs, very velvety looking. I noticed workers from nearby nests are not as brightly colored, they're more rusty orange or brownish. Note that Tiny, in addition to being smaller, also seems a bit darker in color (it's not just lighting). 

Characteristics: Two petiole nodes on waist, two small spikes on the backside of the thorax. I feel like all of them have small looking gasters, which is what initially made me wonder if they're semi-claustral.

Behavior: Very active; They weren't scared of my test tube, but they certainly didn't have time for my nonsense, they were all on a mission. In their test tubes, they all seem kind of... panicked? or... Antsy? LOL They all seem like they want more space, they want to go somewhere, even if they've already laid some eggs. Another reason why I think they might be a semi-claustral species.

 

Click here for all the pictures

 

Best picture of Tiny

 

Best picture of Wing

 

Best picture of Demeter

 

Best picture of Queen 4

 

Best picture of Queen 5

 

 

I initially guessed Barbatus, but now I am thinking Occidentalis... But, I think options are open? Any opinions?

[Solenoqueen]

Tiny is a P. Barbatus, the other 4 being P. Occidentalis.

[dspdrew]

Tiny is a P. Barbatus, the other 4 being P. Occidentalis.

 

How did you come to that conclusion?

[Solenoqueen]

Image comparison. The coloration and body shape(of said queens) seemed to be equivalent to the images of the selected species I assigned. If I am incorrect, I know one thing for sure: Tiny isn’t quite like the rest

[dspdrew]

Other than spines, most of the features that tell Pogonomyrmex apart are only visible under a microscope.

[Solenoqueen]

I assume that they should try a semi claustral setup just in case.

[Waganga]

Thanks for the ID, Solenoqueen! I think I'll stick with this assumption for now, but I will still give them all semi-claustral setups. Even if this means Tiny hides herself away and I never see her again, only her workers.   If Tiny's colony does well, I can always revisit an ID based on these original photos, and photos of her future workers. We'll see.

 

Is it a good idea to give seeds right away, or should I stick with honey until I see niantics? Will Pogonomyrmex accept seed butters (ie organic sunflower seed butter, something with very limited or only natural ingredients)? 

[Solenoqueen]

They won’t accept butters, don’t do that. They like the seeds themselves, I believe. I recommend Kentucky Bluegrass seeds if you have any, but sunflower seeds and poppy seeds can do well as well. For my setups, I put some seeds in the enclosure upon making them, so maybe you wouldn’t have to worry about them too much during their first week. I also offered some honey upon making the enclosure as well. If it doesn’t work, it couldn’t hurt to try haha. If you don’t like getting specific seeds, you could possibly get some bird food mix and use the mixture of seeds from there.