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USA MarylanD Greater Baltimore Area, 10/21/17 Nuptial flight


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#1 Offline Zpyzix - Posted October 21 2017 - 8:56 PM

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Hello! I just caught roughly 6 of these new queens that were flying around 6-7pm ET here in MD USA. I didn't think we had ants that still had nuptial flights in October in roughly 70ish f weather.

 

They are mostly amberish in color, some a little red, unfortunately my phone has a hard time focusing on them and I'll try to take a better picture tomorrow with more light.

 

They were flying around my house, noticed one getting caught in a spider web and manged to free itself and I brought it inside. I came out with a few test tubes and started collecting more landing on my patio.

 

https://i.imgur.com/D8Skevt.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/GM5SyA6.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/MWyK5dc.jpg

 

https://i.imgur.com/kObJZEw.jpg

 

They are now in separate test tubes each until I can figure out if they are polygynous. They seemed to have been cleaning each other when I had them in pairs in test tubes but I wasn't sure if they would only be friendly temporarily.

 

I'm guessing they're Lasius neoniger since they're too small to be solenopsis molesta, but the ones I caught are darker than the pictures I see on the ant wikis and google images. 

 

Then there was this little queen I think wandering around the sidewalk wingless. Around my house is normally dominated by Tetramorium E. But I was surprised to see this one wandering around. 

 

https://i.imgur.com/r3dq6DK.jpg

 

I'm guessing Lasius niger? Might not even be a queen with such a small gastor.

 

Any help or tips would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

-S6

 

 

 

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#2 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted October 21 2017 - 9:17 PM

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Don't forget your measurements!

These are all Lasius social parasites. Looks like late-flying Lasius interjectus and Lasius claviger for the latter queen, although the pictures are a little rough and there are (wait for it) no measurements.

For more info on founding social parasite queens, there's this: http://www.formicult...cial-parasites/


Edited by Batspiderfish, October 21 2017 - 9:26 PM.

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.


#3 Offline Zpyzix - Posted October 22 2017 - 8:28 AM

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I'll try to get measurements and better pictures today, I just get scared bothering ants more than I should and don't like stressing them out. If they're all social parasites I might be in a bind then since they can't start colonies on their own. :(






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