9 replies to this topic

[i2chip]

1. Location of collection: Savannah, GA
2. Date of collection: 4/10/2016
3. Habitat of collection: I live near a small oak/pine forest surrounded by marsh. (Found right next to a nest in my backyard)
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~4-5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Orange and a little hairy
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Large mandibles
7. Anything else distinctive: If she does come from the nest that I found her near I think she may be some sort of a fungus grower, they are always dragging leaves and other miscellaneous items in their nest
8. Nest description: They have nests all over my backyard (Picture & video included) the picture is of the nest I found her near, the video is of what I believe to be the most active nest (or entrance). The video was taken on the other side of the yard from the picture, but I believe it might be the same colony. Hopefully this thread can 'hit two bird with one stone' and you guys know the answer to all my questions

 

Picture of nest I found her near:

Video: https://vimeo.com/162286912

 

About the title, when I say the queen was moving, I don't think there was anyway they flew today, it's been about 60 degrees all day today

Edited by i2chip, April 10 2016 - 5:37 PM.

[drtrmiller]

Unless I'm mistaken, Trachymyrmex, Georgia's sole fungus-growing species.  Very common.  My grandfather calls them "[censored] ants" because of the little funnel-shaped mounds they make in his garden.

 

I doubt you'll have any success, especially if she already expelled her fungus pellet.  I expect they'd be as difficult to get started as Acromyrmex.  Nice find, regardless!

Edited by drtrmiller, April 10 2016 - 1:14 PM.

[Mdrogun]

maybe Acromyrmex. She might be Acromyrmex versicolor.

Edited by Mdrogun, April 10 2016 - 1:12 PM.

[drtrmiller]

maybe Acromyrmex. She might be Acromyrmex versicolor.

 

No Acromyrmex here.

[i2chip]

Unless I'm mistaken, Trachymyrmex, Georgia's sole fungus-growing species.  Very common.  My grandfather calls them "[censored] ants" because of the little funnel-shaped mounds they make in his garden.

 

I doubt you'll have any success, especially if she already expelled her fungus pellet.  I expect they'd be as difficult to get started as Acromyrmex.  Nice find, regardless!

Thanks, I'll release her where I found her. She is the most interesting queen I have found I must say!

[i2chip]

Before I do release her I do have a question, could this be the fungus pellet on her back?

[Gregory2455]

Why would you release her?! It is Trachymyrmex!!!

[i2chip]

Why would you release her?! It is Trachymyrmex!!!

I haven't released her yet I was waiting for a response on what I should do because I don't know if she has her fungus pellet. And if she doesn't I don't know if I could dig some up from the wild colonies or not. And it's kinda cool that if she does happen to survive I can just observe the wild colonies in my yard to see what to feed my new queen if she produces a colony! So far they pull what looks like balls of pollen and withered (but still green) leaves into their nests. I think they're oak leaves, but I'll have to double check. (You can see them carry both of those food sources I mentioned being carried down in their nest in the video)

Edited by i2chip, April 10 2016 - 5:36 PM.

[dspdrew]

maybe Acromyrmex. She might be Acromyrmex versicolor.

 

Acromyrmex versicolor are desert leafcutters, only found in the deserts of the Southwest.

 

 

 

Why would you release her?! It is Trachymyrmex!!!

I haven't released her yet I was waiting for a response on what I should do because I don't know if she has her fungus pellet. And if she doesn't I don't know if I could dig some up from the wild colonies or not. And it's kinda cool that if she does happen to survive I can just observe the wild colonies in my yard to see what to feed my new queen if she produces a colony! So far they pull what looks like balls of pollen and withered (but still green) leaves into their nests. I think they're oak leaves, but I'll have to double check. (You can see them carry both of those food sources I mentioned being carried down in their nest in the video)

 

 

Put her in a test tube or something, and wait to see if she starts a little fungus garden.

[Gregory2455]

 

Why would you release her?! It is Trachymyrmex!!!

I haven't released her yet I was waiting for a response on what I should do because I don't know if she has her fungus pellet. And if she doesn't I don't know if I could dig some up from the wild colonies or not. And it's kinda cool that if she does happen to survive I can just observe the wild colonies in my yard to see what to feed my new queen if she produces a colony! So far they pull what looks like balls of pollen and withered (but still green) leaves into their nests. I think they're oak leaves, but I'll have to double check. (You can see them carry both of those food sources I mentioned being carried down in their nest in the video)

 

Well since Trachymyrmex colonies are pretty shallow, (as far as I know) I would not exclude the option of digging up a colony for a bit of fungus, just make sure you don't hurt the colony too hard.