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Queen ID request from North Queensland, Australia
Started By
tndrm54
, Jan 6 2019 2:25 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 2:25 AM
1. Location (on a map) of collection: in a town called Mount Isa in North Queensland in Australia. Wiki link below:
https://en.m.wikiped.../wiki/Mount_Isa
2. Date of collection: 4th of jan 2019
3. Habitat of collection: in my bedroom. I just found her walking on the floor.
4. Length (from head to gaster):9mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: shiney orange colour with a hint of green and yellow on her gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: none noted other than colour and size
7. Distinguishing behavior:not happy in a test tube, constantly pulling at cotton.
8. Nest description: unknown
9. Nuptial flight time and date:unknown
I have tried to do some research and thought she might be Oecophylla Smaragdina based on one photo in this blog.
http://termitesandan...smaragdina.html
However at 9mm she seems a bit small for a Oecophylla Smaragdina queen maybe?
The image quality is not great given i only have a clip on macro lens.
https://en.m.wikiped.../wiki/Mount_Isa
2. Date of collection: 4th of jan 2019
3. Habitat of collection: in my bedroom. I just found her walking on the floor.
4. Length (from head to gaster):9mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: shiney orange colour with a hint of green and yellow on her gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: none noted other than colour and size
7. Distinguishing behavior:not happy in a test tube, constantly pulling at cotton.
8. Nest description: unknown
9. Nuptial flight time and date:unknown
I have tried to do some research and thought she might be Oecophylla Smaragdina based on one photo in this blog.
http://termitesandan...smaragdina.html
However at 9mm she seems a bit small for a Oecophylla Smaragdina queen maybe?
The image quality is not great given i only have a clip on macro lens.
#2 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 6:39 AM
This is not a species of Oecophylla. I'm sorry, but that's all I can tell ya. Hopefully somebody knowledgeable on Australian ants can weigh in.
Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis
Pheidole pilifera
Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi
Pheidole bicarinata
Aphaenogaster rudis
Camponotus chromaiodes
Formica sp. (microgena species)
Nylanderia cf. arenivega
#4 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 9:27 AM
I’m not an expert on Australian ants, but I’m thinking it could be philidris, which is an arboreal species that nests in plants. They can still be kept in the traditional setup though.
My journals:
Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/
Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/
#5 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 10:53 AM
Due to the eyes being closer to the mandibles than most queens, such as Iridomyurmex, I think this is a Philidris queen.
You might be able to ID her better since you can see her, so if you're willing to take the time, here's a key to Dolichoderinae in Australia - http://www.antwiki.o..._Dolichoderinae
Edited by AnthonyP163, January 6 2019 - 10:53 AM.
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#6 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 1:30 PM
Thanks to all for your thoughts and for the link to the Key to Australian Genera of Dolichoderinae.
Philidris seems like it might be on the money but will have a close look.
There is a lot of nuptial flight activity at the moment in the area and I have found several queens of other species so will post new threads for help identifying them!
Philidris seems like it might be on the money but will have a close look.
There is a lot of nuptial flight activity at the moment in the area and I have found several queens of other species so will post new threads for help identifying them!
#7 Offline - Posted January 6 2019 - 3:35 PM
Just letting you know that philidris ants have a special relationship with a plant known as myrmecodia beccari, which means that if you want a naturalistic setup, you can actually buy one and have them nest in it. They can be pretty common in the plant trade so it shouldn’t really be a challenge getting one.Thanks to all for your thoughts and for the link to the Key to Australian Genera of Dolichoderinae.
Philidris seems like it might be on the money but will have a close look.
There is a lot of nuptial flight activity at the moment in the area and I have found several queens of other species so will post new threads for help identifying them!
My journals:
Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/
Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/
#8 Offline - Posted January 7 2019 - 3:35 AM
That sounds like a great idea - thanks!
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