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NickAnter's Leptothorax Journal (Myrmica dead)

Started By NickAnter , Aug 17 2019 4:10 PM

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11 replies to this topic

#1 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 17 2019 - 4:10 PM

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I found this queen in our RV, at about 9:30, right before I was about to go to bed. I put her in a test tube with a moist plug. This morning, I made a proper test tube setup, and gave her a peice of apple flesh, no skin, and the skin was washed. I will soon put some springtails in for her. As it is our last day in the Sierras, I will blacklight for a little tonight, hoping to get some more of these, as apparently, they do better with multiple queens. When I get home, I will give her a foraging container, in which I will add honey, and springtails. She is very tiny, about 4mm, just smaller than the S. molesta here. She has not shed her wings, but was cleaning the tip off her gaster a bit, so hopefully she is fertile! Edit: I think I am the only one in Cali that has Myrmica. Is this true, and also, I would welcome some help from anybody who has kept Myrmica.

Edited by NickAnter, August 20 2019 - 9:40 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#2 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 17 2019 - 5:24 PM

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All the ones I have kept died. The one in I caught in spring dug a ton, but didn't lay.


#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 17 2019 - 7:01 PM

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Hmm. Well, I found a queen which is not the same species, and I am wondering if dhe is even Myrmica. The only other thing I think she could be is a Leptothorax species. But, she is rather small. I put three springtails in the test tube, and the M. cf. tahoensis queen did not even try to hunt them. I also have not caught her drinking from the apple. Discouraging.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#4 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted August 17 2019 - 9:44 PM

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Pics! I don't think anyone has ever caught one of these queens before :).

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#5 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 18 2019 - 5:47 AM

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I am not sure of the species, it is simply likely due to their distribution, and size.








Sorry for the crummy pics, it is the best I can get in a dirty plastic tube.

Edited by NickAnter, August 18 2019 - 5:48 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#6 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 18 2019 - 5:54 AM

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Pics of the Mystery Queen:




Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#7 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 18 2019 - 12:35 PM

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It looks so much like leptothorax.

FRIQCR7QBRHQ1RJKNRKQK0P0DRE0TQ70OQLQNRG0
 
Here's a myrmica tahoensis alate for comparison.Note the stubbier body.
 
800px-MCZ-ENT00674350_Myrmica_tahoensis_

Edited by ponerinecat, August 18 2019 - 12:38 PM.

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#8 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 19 2019 - 7:47 AM

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I knew the mystery one was not tahoensis. I believe you are right, and that it is Leptothorax. I will treat her the same as the Myrmica queen, which I now think is M. fracticornis, not tahoensis. I know color is not a good thing for IDs, but that and the abdomen shape don't fit.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#9 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 20 2019 - 9:38 AM

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Well, the Myrmica queen died. I will put her under a microscope in the hopes that I can get a solid ID. The Leptothorax queen is still alive and well. Any tips?

Edited by NickAnter, August 20 2019 - 9:39 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#10 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 20 2019 - 2:21 PM

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I knew the mystery one was not tahoensis. I believe you are right, and that it is Leptothorax. I will treat her the same as the Myrmica queen, which I now think is M. fracticornis, not tahoensis. I know color is not a good thing for IDs, but that and the abdomen shape don't fit.

This is a desiccated specimen, don't look at the abdomen, it's collapsed.


#11 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 21 2019 - 4:54 PM

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        The head also does not fit.  Also if anyone wants the dead Myrmica queen, they can have it, I will preserve it however asked.  The Leptothorax queen is still alive, I will soon giver her some mealworm guts.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#12 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 21 2019 - 7:12 PM

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I kinda want it, but I have no use for it. I know Ferox pins ants, maybe ask him?


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