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Queen(?) Caught in San Bernardino County, Southern California (1/12/2018)

ant id southern california

Best Answer LC3 , January 12 2018 - 3:39 PM

Some sort of Hymenopteran, not an ant. Probably a bee of some sort.

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#1 Offline MadsGH - Posted January 12 2018 - 3:18 PM

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I'm fairly dang sure that this is a queen ant and not a drone, but I'm new to antkeeping -- I feel like I need more experienced eyes.  :)


1. Location of collection: Grand Terrace, CA -- In my pool, about 2 days after a rain
2. Date of collection: Jan 12, 2018
3. Habitat of collection: "Oasis" suburban area, lots of greenery that's surrounded by sandy ground with very little water
4. Length: Roughly 5 to 7mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black with green/bronze metallic sheen, legs appear to be covered in a pale fuzz
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Thin, smooth mandibles, eyes appear to wrap around the side of the head
7. Distinguishing behavior: Appears energetic after being dried off. Quickly became aggravated when test tube was handled for pictures -- testing limits of test tube, pushing upper body and "gnawing" into the folds of the paper towel plugging the tube
8. Nest description: N/A

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Exact time unknown, Possibly early afternoon Jan 12

 

Sorry for the quality of the photos, if more are necessary I'll try to get better lighting/angles (she really didn't want to cooperate with me)
 

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Edited by MadsGH, January 12 2018 - 3:25 PM.


#2 Offline LC3 - Posted January 12 2018 - 3:39 PM   Best Answer

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Some sort of Hymenopteran, not an ant. Probably a bee of some sort.



#3 Offline MadsGH - Posted January 12 2018 - 4:05 PM

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That would explain the long eyes, then. Probably for flight? I didn't realize we got these sorts of bees/wasps. Thanks!



#4 Offline VoidElecent - Posted January 12 2018 - 4:43 PM

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I agree that this is, in fact, a bee.

 

Thank you though for the beautifully formatted post! :)


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#5 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 12 2018 - 6:44 PM

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Bee, genus Dialictus.







Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: ant id, southern california

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