12 replies to this topic

[Martialis]

Many new members to the ant keeping community would like to, but don't necessarily know how to, identify their ants.  I created this "game" of sorts to assist people with learning this skill. Name to at least a subfamily, but go to a genus if you can. I'll put a few images up top to help with identification. I'll also put a couple identification keys up top here. Be aware: a flightless wasp may have snuck in here! I strongly reccomend you check this out, even if you don't think you're good at identifying ants.

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/

I go into a bit more detail about subfamilies here: http://forum.antscan...&p=21537#p21537

http://antweb.org

 

 

 

This shows the anatomy of a formicine ant (top) and a myrmicine one (bottom). Their genera are Formica and Solenopsis respectively. 

 

This shows the anatomy of a ponerine ant, but most of its anatomy applies out of the subfamily.

 

 

The ant below is in the subfamily Dolichoderinae and can be distinguished based on the absent acidopore.

 

These are the four most common subfamilies, although there are many more. 

 

Let's start the quiz!

 

1. 

 

Spoiler

Formicinae, Camponotus.

 

2.

 

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Formicinae, Formica.

 

3. 

 

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Myrmicinae, Acanthognathus.

 

4. 

 

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Dolichoderinae, Aptinoma. I've always thought that whoever named this genus must've either been really tired or lazy.

 

5.

 

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Ponerinae, Asphinctopone.

 

6. 

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Dolichoderinae, Azteca.

 

7. 

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Nope! That's a flightless wasp.

 

8.

 

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Myrmicinae, Cardiocondyla.

 

9.

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Ponerinae, Harpegnathos.

 

10.

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Ponerinae, Ponera.

 

11. 

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Formicinae, Camponotus.

 

12. 

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Myrmicinae, Solenopsis.

 

13. 

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Formicinae, Bregmatomyrma.

 

14. 

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Formicinae, Formica.

'

15. 

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Myrmicinae, Atta.

 

16. ~4mm

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Formicinae, Brachymyrmex.

 

17. ~7-9mm
~

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Formicinae, Prenolepis.

 

18.

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Myrmicinae, Aphaenogaster.

 

19. 

 

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Myrmicinae, Novomessor.

 

20. 

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 Myrmicinae, Myrmica.

 

21. 

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Ponerinae, Hypoponera.

 

22. 

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Myrmicinae, Tetramorium.

 

23. 

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Myrmicinae, Pheidole.

 

24. 

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Formicinae, Lasius

 

25. 

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Myrmicinae, Myrmica

 

26. 

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Myrmicinae, Monomorium

 

27. 

 

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Formicinae, Nylanderia 

 

 

28. 

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Little ant: Dolichoderinae, Linepithema; Big ant: Myrmecinae, Solenopsis

 

29. 

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Myrmecinae, Pogonomyrmex

 

CHALLENGE SECTION:

 

Contains more than just the above four subfamilies. Look out for Amblyoponinae, Leptanilinae, and possibly a few other subfamilies. 

 

1.

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Proceratiinae, Discothyrea.

 

2.  

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Aneuretinae, Aneuretus.

 

3.

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Leptanillinae, Opamyrma.

 

4. 

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Martialinae, me!  (Martialis)

 

5.

 

Spoiler

Amblyoponinae, Onychomyrmex.

 

Hope this helped!

 

If this is in the wrong section, please move it.

Edited by Martialis, December 18 2017 - 7:16 PM.

[VoidElecent]

Awesome! What a great thread. A little more fine tuning, and it'll be perfect!

[Nathant2131]

Yes, this is a nice post. Some little tweaks can be made.

 

Edit: For example, none of the diagrams include what the acidopore is (the tip of the gaster where there is usually a fringe of hairs surrounding it)

Edited by Nathant2131, May 22 2017 - 2:43 PM.

[Martialis]

Yes, this is a nice post. Some little tweaks can be made.

 

Edit: For example, none of the diagrams include what the acidopore is (the tip of the gaster where there is usually a fringe of hairs surrounding it)

 

I hadn't noticed that, whoops! I'll fix that.

[Martialis]

Just revised. Quite a bit more material now.

[Serafine]

This picture is wrong. Ponerine ants do not have a postpediole.

[Martialis]

This picture is wrong. Ponerine ants do not have a postpediole.

Indeed. It shows good anatomy for the rest of it, though.

[Nathant2131]

Serafine is right. The picture was probably made that way becuase it is controversial  that the first gastral tergite may be the postpetiole (becuase there is a constriction seperating tergites 1 and 2. The postpetiole is abesent in ponerine ants officially however.

Edited by Nathant2131, May 22 2017 - 4:00 PM.

[Martialis]

Serafine is right. The picture was probably made that way becuase it is controversial  that the first gastral tergite may be the postpetiole (becuase there is a constriction seperating tergites 1 and 2. The postpetiole is abesent in ponerine ants officially however.

 

That's interesting. i wonder where I can find all these "official taxonomic decisions"?

[Nathant2131]

Try looking at taxonomic revisions on ant web, that is related somehow or other to what you are looking for. The answers will pop up.

[Martialis]

If anyone else would like something added, please say so! I'm open to suggestions.

[Martialis]

This post should prove helpful when preparing for next spring's wave of queens.

Edited by Martialis, November 25 2017 - 12:28 AM.

[Skirmitch]

 OMG thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much, this is PRECISELY what I have been looking for for weeks. PLEEEEASE make this sticky!!!!!