3 replies to this topic

[yfaykya]

Hi,

I found these under a rock and moss near the coast of west Ireland. I thought they were Myrmica Ruba first but now I am leaning towards Myrmica Ruginodis.

 

 

1. 53°28'30.6"N 10°01'27.9"W

2. March 17 2019
3. Coastal plain.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 5-6mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Red with dark parts
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior: 
8. Nest description:  Under a rock and moss. 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 

Not a great photographer so if any particular type of shot needed let me know :

https://photos.app.g...rSzmZoDShYn9dKA
 

Also I cannot see a regular sized queen like my other M. Ruba colony. But there could be lots of micro ones? Or I could have missed them somehow (either when collecting or in the formicarium). Pretty sure I got the whole colony though unless it was a satellite.

 

Thanks.

[yfaykya]

Added some shots from under a microscope. In the last 2 I can see the angle that the antennae attach to the head which I think means they are indeed Myrmica Ruginodis?

[AntsBC]

You are correct, the colony you have collected is indeed Myrmica ruginodis; but not just because of the angle of which the antennae attaches to the head. I identified your ants as Myrmica ruginodis because of their size, propodeal spines, antennal scapes, and petiole/postpetiole. http://www.antwiki.o...#Identification

 

I really appreciated the microscope pics you added at the end. Although they were a bit blurry, they were essential for the identification of your ants. Myrmica spp. are virtually impossible to identify without the use of a microscope, which is also why it really annoys me when ant keepers just tag their Myrmica colony(s) as Myrmica rubra without spending the time to actually, properly identify them.

Edited by AntsBC, April 12 2019 - 9:19 PM.

[yfaykya]

Thanks for the response! Great to have a confirmation.