7 replies to this topic

[WalkerNom]

1. Location of collection: Southern Delaware

2. Date of collection: 9/23/2016

3. Habitat of collection: Found in my driveway, but my house is on the edge of the woods, there is also a huge ditch almost directly behind my house that is sort of pond-like.

4. Length (from head to gaster): 8 - 9 millimeters 

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black head and thorax, her gaster is lighter in color almost tan.  Looks like the top of her gaster has about three black bands on it.  Smooth texture.

6. Distinguishing characteristics: None that I can think of.

7. Distinguishing behavior: Nothing really stands out to me other than when she was found she just casually walked by me, even when I was going to catch her she didn't panic.  She doesn't seem lethargic though, and was calmly crawling around the container.

8. Nest description: I haven't been able to locate the nest, but I always see workers of similar color to her so I'm assuming she's from that nest.  These workers are really fast and are relatively large at approximately 5 - 6 millimeters.  However, I'm not sure they're the same ant.

 

 

 

 

 

This time I know I have a queen lol, I just need help to figure out what species she is...Thank you!

Edited by WalkerNom, September 27 2016 - 5:54 AM.

[Cooldude]

lasius neoniger

 

https://www.google.c...TBnDzYQ_AUIBigB

[Canadian anter]

I'm going to guess pallitarsis because of wing length

[Batspiderfish]

I haven't payed much attention to the wings, even though it seems to be a useful characteristic. Where did you find this tidbit?

[Canadian anter]

I read it somewhere off the Internet and from Dr. Ant

[WalkerNom]

Alright guys, thank you so much for the suggestions but I'm still not really sure what species she is...

So I tried to get some better pics and try some of the tips given on the forum.

 

She shed her wings the night of collection, so hopefully that will give you a better look at her gaster.

 

 

 

 

Edited by WalkerNom, September 27 2016 - 5:57 AM.

[SaintDrake]

I am going to guess Lasius neoniger like several others because I couldn't find any evidence that says Lasius pallitarsis is in Delaware. However, that isn't the best evidence for it not being pallitarsis.

[WalkerNom]

Once again, thank you!  I'm leaning towards Lasius neoniger myself now.  However, there is a chance she could be Lasius flavus.  I think the only real difference is the color of workers?  That being said, Lasius flavus has orange workers.  There's about 3 - 4 mounds in my yard that have orange workers.  But I haven't identified them yet.

 

Going back to the workers I mentioned earlier, I could go out in my yard anytime and find them so there must be a nest nearby.  They're all black but in the sunlight their gasters appear to have a golden shine to it.

 

Let's look at their nuptial flight times (courtesy of dspdrew's chart)

 

A couple of you mentioned Lasius Pallitarsus but since I caught this queen in late September, I think it's safe to say it's too late for this species to fly.  It would also be a little bit late for Lasius flavus too.

 

I guess I won't really know for sure until her nanitic workers appear...but I have a feeling she's Lasius neoniger.

Edited by WalkerNom, September 27 2016 - 6:01 AM.