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Formica/ Lasuis queen?


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#1 Offline klawfran3 - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:06 AM

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April 16, 2017

I found this little lady under a rock in a very dry area here, Jackrabbit canyon just outside Laramie, Wyoming.

The days had been mild (50-60F) and the snow basically just melted, which is strange to find a queen since most colonies I've found while flipping rocks are still in hibernation with alate brood.

She's about 1.25cm, and has a nice pile of eggs. If they hatch into larvae (she laid them the day I found her after putting her in the tube) I might start a journal.

 

Probably shouldn't have disturbed her for photos, but I figure I won't bother her again for a few days or so before I check on her. IDK if she's fully or semi claustral but she seems to love drinking sunburst and eating chicken. Really nervous that this will work out, this is the first large ant species I've found that I really want to keep and seems to be the only colony I have that *isn't* giving me issues (my two others are refusing food and sugar entirely, and a myrmica queen I have I don't think is fertile).

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If anyone's got tips for this species let me know please!

 

In the first photo it seems you can also count her antennal segments too which might help!


Edited by klawfran3, April 26 2017 - 10:11 AM.

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#2 Offline Canadian anter - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:20 AM

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Formica sp


Visit us at www.canada-ant-colony.com !

#3 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:20 AM

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Not Lasius for sure. I agree with Formica.

#4 Offline klawfran3 - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:22 AM

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That's what I was thinking, what's the main difference between the two?

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#5 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:22 AM

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Pubescence on the first three gastral tergites and short antennal scapes point to Formica podzolica.


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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#6 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted April 26 2017 - 10:56 AM

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That's what I was thinking, what's the main difference between the two?

 

http://www.antwiki.o...of_Formicinae#5

 

I don't think queens have been compared from the two, but tooth count and size would be significant.


Edited by Batspiderfish, April 26 2017 - 10:57 AM.

If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.





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