I caught this tiny queen with workers and brood under a board today in Northeastern Michigan (lower penninsula) on 7-8-18. It was about 85 degrees, around 5:30pm. No rain for past couple days, humidity was moderate feeling.
She's brownish/tannish in color, with lighter tan (or even cream colored) stripes on her gaster. She could just be stretched out from food or egg production though.
She's just a hair over 4mm long. Her workers are 3mm or slightly less. They're brown in color.
They had all of their brood above ground on top of the leaf litter, under a board. They do not produce cocoons to pupate.
No nuptial flight.
Based on my own research, she resembles Forelius pruinosus in shape and color. She also resembles Brachymyrmex depilis, but she could be neither.
Here's some bad pics of the queen. I can't get any better with what I have. I'm hoping that the workers give away the species moreso than the queen since she's so blurry. I plan on ordering a microscope this week though. Can't wait!
Edited by Jamiesname, July 8 2018 - 6:36 PM.
