So I've been putting this one off for a bit. I caught a yellowish Lasius queen a few weeks back and was wondering if you ant geniuses could ID it.
1. Location of collection: Chicago, IL. Schoolyard, near garden. Looked like she was coming from the garden rather than heading towards it.
2. Date of collection: Mid September.
3. Habitat of collection: Schoolyard, coming from garden. Garden description: Most of the garden has a layer of wood chips/mulch over the soil. However, the 25% of it that has no wood chips/mulch is the part where I find all the ants. Queens I've caught in the garden: B. depilis, P. pennsylvanica, L. claviger, L. umbratus. Workers I've seen in the garden: T. sessile, P. imparis, a small yellow lasius species, and T. caespitum. There are also plenty of stepping stones that the ants like to nest under.
4. Length: 1 centimeter exactly. Note that she had very slight 'Termite Gaster' during this measurement, and I'm not sure if that counts towards length. If not, then just subtract a couple millimeters.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Dark brown head and thorax. Abdomen is yellow on the underside and a golden-brown on the top, Maybe even a greenish hint to it. The yellow part of her gaster seems to almost glow golden when she's held up to light.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Erect hairs on abdomen. Petiole is hard to see, not sure if it's really small or hidden between the thorax and gaster. Eyes aren't large but aren't small. Hairs on antennae are at a 45° angle, facing towards the tip. Antennal hairs are only present past the 'elbow'. She didn't hold still long enough for me to count the number of antennal segments.
7. Anything else distinctive: Doesn't seemed very bothered by light, unless it's very bright or right next to her. Very relaxed and laid back. Broke off wings as soon as I got her into the test tube. No eggs yet, probably waiting until after hibernation.
8. Nest description: None.
9. Nuptial flight time and date: None
10 . Post the clearest pictures possible of the top, side, and face of the ant in question, and if possible, their nest and the habitat they were collected in: No photos right now but I'll be sure to add some soon. Keep checking in for them until I add them.
Note: I got the specific details (about the hairs and whatnot) by looking at her under my microscope. If anyone needs some specific info to help ID her, my microscope is at the ready.
Edited by Mettcollsuss, October 19 2017 - 3:13 AM.
