12 replies to this topic

[ohhhhh]

1. Location of collection: under dead brush, trying to tunnel
2. Date of collection: 7-24-15
3. Habitat of collection: wooded area near lot
4. Length (from head to gaster): 3/8ths inch
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black to dark gray 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: large 
7. Anything else distinctive: 
8. Nest description: n/a

 

note. this is identical to the componotus chroma. i caught the other day, except she is an eighth inch shorter. I'm assuming she is the same sp., just smaller? 

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[Jonathan21700]

Formica sp.

[AntsAreUs]

Some sort of Formica in the fusca group, could be Formica fusca.

[ohhhhh]

so.. do componotus have a wider head than the formica? and a more elongated thorax?

Edited by larynx, July 24 2015 - 1:48 PM.

[William. T]

Formica have two ridges on the thorax, while Camponotus have none. You have a Formica Sp. there.

[AntsAreUs]

Most of the time you can tell just from size.

[ohhhhh]

ridges? on the sides? on the top? on the bottom?

Most of the time you can tell just from size.

 

 

so.. do componotus have a wider head than the formica? and a more elongated thorax?

hence this question.

[ohhhhh]

these all look the same to me except, one has a larger proportioned head and thorax, with longer gaster.  

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[ohhhhh]

i want to know where these ridges are located. anyone? anyone?

[LC3]

ridges? on the sides? on the top? on the bottom?

Most of the time you can tell just from size.

 

 

so.. do componotus have a wider head than the formica? and a more elongated thorax?

hence this question.

Camponotus usually have larger heads and the heads are nearly the same width as the thorax, while Formica usually have smaller heads. Not to mention Formica have larger eyes and are placed near the sides of the head while Camponotus have them located some what above/on top their head. You can also tell by the behaviour Formica queens and workers are very "jiteriy" while Camponotus workers are also jitery but not to such extent and the queens aren't jitery. Camponotus queens usually do have an elongated gaster compared to Formica which is more ovalish. Formica also tend to have a shiny texture, while Camponotus have a smooth texture they aren't usually shiny. Plus what people mean by 'having ridges on their thorax' seems to mainly apply to workers, the back of Camponotus workers are a smooth even arch while Formica have ridges notably two. Queens usually don't demonstrate this because their back is packed with muscles.

[ohhhhh]

 

ridges? on the sides? on the top? on the bottom?

Most of the time you can tell just from size.

 

 

so.. do componotus have a wider head than the formica? and a more elongated thorax?

hence this question.

Camponotus usually have larger heads and the heads are nearly the same width as the thorax, while Formica usually have smaller heads. Not to mention Formica have larger eyes and are placed near the sides of the head while Camponotus have them located some what above/on top their head. You can also tell by the behaviour Formica queens and workers are very "jiteriy" while Camponotus workers are also jitery but not to such extent and the queens aren't jitery. Camponotus queens usually do have an elongated gaster compared to Formica which is more ovalish. Formica also tend to have a shiny texture, while Camponotus have a smooth texture they aren't usually shiny. Plus what people mean by 'having ridges on their thorax' seems to mainly apply to workers, the back of Camponotus workers are a smooth even arch while Formica have ridges notably two. Queens usually don't demonstrate this because their back is packed with muscles.

 

boom. that's a man answer there. thank you.

[LC3]

This may not apply to all Formica and Camponotus cause everything has exceptions but that's the basics of these two ants.

[ohhhhh]

now that I've read that and looked once again. the two formica have eyes that take up about a third of their face profile, while the componotus eyes are about a fifth or so of their profile.  the formica look a little more "rugged" than the componotus, as well. the formica gaster color kind of has a sheen to it, depending on the direction of light. while the componotus gaster stays the same no matter where the light is coming from.

Edited by larynx, July 24 2015 - 3:27 PM.