12 replies to this topic

[noebl1]

Where collected? United States in Massachusetts near Nashua, NH

 

Habitat of collection? Abandoned granite quarry, round chamber about size of a grape under a rock near edge of quarry, no visible connection to surface.  Very Sandy soil.

 

Coloration, hue and pattern? Queen mostly brown, some banding on gaster.  workers/(nanitics ?) brown head and thorax area, yellowish orange translucent gasters

 

Distinguishing characteristics?  yellowish orange translucent gasters on workers

 

Length in millimeters? Queen about 15mm, workers about 8mm

 

There were approximately 4 or 5 workers and some eggs, no pupae.   Very shallow about 2-3" under the rock, grape shaped chamber about 2" by about 3/4" that was not connected to the outside. Workers did not really scatter as expected, when rock was flipped.  One worker picked up small clutch of eggs which made collection easy as walked right into the collection container holding the eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by noebl1, April 17 2016 - 12:23 PM.

[Mdrogun]

I know this is Camponotus but I don't know much about them beyond that.

[noebl1]

Thanks for the reply!  Wondering if Camponotus castaneus?  

[Mdrogun]

Thanks for the reply!  Wondering if Camponotus castaneus?  

I am pretty sure that is the ID but without better lighting I am not sure.

[noebl1]

 

Thanks for the reply!  Wondering if Camponotus castaneus?  

I am pretty sure that is the ID but without better lighting I am not sure.

 

 

 

See if I can get a good shot...  

[noebl1]

Or maybe a Camponotus americanus? :  Their gasters were very yellowy in the sun... haven't noticed this species really here before. Typically around here a LOT of camponotus pennsylvanicus which tend to invade houses

 

 

 

 

 

[dspdrew]

If you take the same pictures on top of something dark, you would see a lot more color and detail on the ants.

[drtrmiller]

There is visible banding, just photos are overly dark.

Camponotus subbarbatus.

Edited by drtrmiller, April 17 2016 - 1:45 PM.

[noebl1]

Ok, third times the charm with pics?  Able to refocus the macro a bit and used a dark background (thanks for the tip):

 

Edited by noebl1, April 17 2016 - 1:48 PM.

[noebl1]

Banding on gaster is very subtle (she's a lot darker than the workers):

 

[Mdrogun]

I don't think this is Camponotus castaneus and I don't think it is Camponotus subbarbatus either. I have no idea what species this is.

[noebl1]

Based on some photos and videos online, starting to lean on Camponotus americanus, but definitely not an expert.

[Runner12]

It's Camponotus americanus, subbarbatus is smaller than that. It has a lot of color variation, some are light enough to almost resemble castaneus, some are much darker like yours

Edited by Runner12, April 25 2016 - 8:10 AM.