8 replies to this topic

[VoidElecent]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Horsham, Pennsylvania (All six)
2. Date of collection: June 15-June 21 (All at night to a black light, except Queen 6)
3. Habitat of collection: Field/deciduous forest. Mostly clay soil.
4. Length (from head to gaster): Queens 1-5: ~6-6.5 mm, Queen 6: 5 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Queens 1-5: Dark brownish red, gasters noticably darker and in some cases even look black. Queen 6 is bright orange, with a smaller form and darker ocelli than Q1-Q5.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Two petiole nodes on each, ocelli on Q1-Q5 are lighter than rest of body (whitish brown) and ocelli on Q6 are darker.
7. Distinguishing behavior: NA. Queen 5 took about 3 days to lay eggs, now she has a whole bunch.
8. Nest description: NA (black light).

 

Queen One:

 

 

Queen Two:

 

 

Queen Three:

 

 

Queen Four:

 

 

Queen Five:

 

 

Queen Six:

 

Edited by VoidElecent, June 23 2017 - 10:33 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

Pheidole bicarinata

[VoidElecent]

Pheidole bicarinata

 

All of 'em?

[Salmon]

Queen six looks a little different.

[Mdrogun]

Queen six looks a little different.

This is likely just due to the color variation within Pheidole bicarinata.

[VoidElecent]

 

Queen six looks a little different.

This is likely just due to the color variation within Pheidole bicarinata.

 

 

Pheidole bicarinata

 

I've gotten a number of responses confirming this identification as P. bicarinata. What, specifically, about these specimens (ideally other than location, time of year or coloration) prompts you rule out other species like P. pilifera, P. davisi, or even P. dentata and P. tysoni?

 

There's a family who moved from Florida (Orlando) about a month ago and have brought several potted trees and plants with them. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the reason for some relatively exotic species (such as Brachymyrmex patagonicus, which we caught 5 queens of two nights ago) to fly to our black light. For anyone interested in contributing, it may be wise to treat these specimens as if they're from Florida if they don't match with any of the Mid Atlantic species.

 

Unfortunately, they moved very recently and haven't experienced a north eastern winter yet, so I'm assuming any ants they may have brought won't make it another year.

Edited by VoidElecent, June 23 2017 - 3:20 PM.

[Mdrogun]

 

 

Queen six looks a little different.

This is likely just due to the color variation within Pheidole bicarinata.

 

 

Pheidole bicarinata

 

I've gotten a number of responses confirming this identification as P. bicarinata. What, specifically, about these specimens (ideally other than location, time of year or coloration) prompts you rule out other species like P. pilifera, P. davisi, or even P. dentata and P. tysoni?

 

There are only 2 recorded species of Pheidole in your state, Pheidole bicarinata, and Pheidole pilifera. Looking into this more, I'm starting to think it's possible you have a queen or two that's Pheidole pilifera. Pheidole bicarinata and Pheidole pilifera are both in the "pilifera group" of Pheidole, so they are quite similar.

[VoidElecent]

 

 

I've gotten a number of responses confirming this identification as P. bicarinata. What, specifically, about these specimens (ideally other than location, time of year or coloration) prompts you rule out other species like P. pilifera, P. davisi, or even P. dentata and P. tysoni?

 

There are only 2 recorded species of Pheidole in your state, Pheidole bicarinata, and Pheidole pilifera. Looking into this more, I'm starting to think it's possible you have a queen or two that's Pheidole pilifera. Pheidole bicarinata and Pheidole pilifera are both in the "pilifera group" of Pheidole, so they are quite similar.

 

 

You should check out the edited version of my previous post you just quoted, that may explain a little.

[Batspiderfish]

You'll have to wait for workers if you think these might be something else.

Edited by Batspiderfish, June 23 2017 - 6:12 PM.