15 replies to this topic

[mollySF]

I teach a unit on ants to my First Graders, and had wanted to find a queen ant all summer, but didn't have any success, and then, the third day of school, found one walking around the school garden!!  The First Graders are super excited about her, and have named her Bear the Ant, and I would love help identifying her!!

 

I'm sorry my photographs aren't very good.  The test tube I grabbed from the science room was very scratched, and I didn't focus well, but the video of her is better: https://drive.google...4Zm?usp=sharing

 

Please let me know if there is anything else I can share!

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: San Francisco, CA

 

2. Date of collection: August 29th

3. Habitat of collection: A school garden in a fairly urban part of the city

4. Length (from head to gaster): About 8mm? (I didn't actually measure)

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: She looked rather golden and almost velvet-y when I was holding her, but in the test tube I can't really see that any more

6. Distinguishing characteristics: 

7. Distinguishing behavior: When I checked her today (Sept 7), she had already laid eggs

8. Nest description: She was just walking on a stone path in the garden

 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 

[Zeiss]

For future reference, use this link here to learn how to embed an image into your posts.  

 

I want to say it's in the Lasius genus.  Don't have time to give a full ID right now, but I think it's neoniger or niger. 

[dspdrew]

Looks like Formica to me. 8 mm might be a little small for that though.

[VoidElecent]

I think this is a dark Lasius queen.

[mollySF]

Thank you!  

 

Brian Fisher from the Cal Academy of Sciences just responded and said he couldn't tell for certain, but that he thought it might be Formica subaenescens and that he could confirm once she has a few workers.

 

I'll try for better photos then!

Edited by mollySF, September 8 2018 - 12:37 PM.

[LearningAntz]

Thank you!

Brian Fisher from the Cal Academy of Sciences just responded and said he couldn't tell for certain, but that he thought it might be Formica subaenescens and that he could confirm once she has a few workers.

I'll try for better photos then!

I also think it’s a Lasius queen. Doesn’t look like Formica.

[dspdrew]

Thank you!  

 

Brian Fisher from the Cal Academy of Sciences just responded and said he couldn't tell for certain, but that he thought it might be Formica subaenescens and that he could confirm once she has a few workers.

 

I'll try for better photos then!

 

We will easily know whether it's Formica or Lasius once it has workers... or if you get some better pictures.

[ponerinecat]

Doesn't matter much if she's a class pet. Formica and Lasius have relatively similar care. Just be warned that both can get big fast and don't be surprised if she doesn't make it. You might want to have a larger ant farm in advance. Personally, I say its Formica. Lasius have smaller heads.

[mollySF]

Some slightly better pictures!  

Album: Classroom ant

3 images

0 comments

Edited by mollySF, September 16 2018 - 9:23 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Lasius. L. neoniger.

Edited by Kaelwizard, September 20 2018 - 12:08 PM.

[EthanNgo678]

so jealous, I love lasius!

[TheRealAntMan]

Lasius Flavus does not exist in North America. I agree with Lasius though. Best to wait for workers for a proper ID.

[Kaelwizard]

Lasius Flavus does not exist in North America. I agree with Lasius though. Best to wait for workers for a proper ID.

Yes they are. Look on ant wiki.

[Mettcollsuss]

 

Lasius Flavus does not exist in North America. I agree with Lasius though. Best to wait for workers for a proper ID.

Yes they are. Look on ant wiki.

 

Lasius flavus in North America are now under the name Lasius brevicornis.

[TheRealAntMan]

 

Lasius Flavus does not exist in North America. I agree with Lasius though. Best to wait for workers for a proper ID.

Yes they are. Look on ant wiki.

 

Ant wiki is not always accurate with their facts. Ant wiki used to think Lasius Nearcticus and Lasius Umbratus were the same.

 

 

Lasius Flavus does not exist in North America. I agree with Lasius though. Best to wait for workers for a proper ID.

Yes they are. Look on ant wiki.

 

Lasius flavus in North America are now under the name Lasius brevicornis.

 

Lasius  Flavus was probably never present in North America and if they did/are, they were probably in small numbers. I like to think of it like the African and Asian lions. Sure both are lions but, two different cats. You can't just call an Asian lion the Asian version of the African lion. Same here. Lasius Brevicornis is not the North American version of Lasius Flavus. Closely related but two very different ants.

[Kaelwizard]

I mean't neoniger not flavus. I changed the comment.