11 replies to this topic

[StayLoki]

I'm not even sure if it's a queen, so please let me know what you guys are thinking..

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Ulster county, NY

2. Date of collection: 5/3/18
3. Habitat of collection: running frantically around neighbors driveway
4. Length (from head to gaster): 6mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black
6. Distinguishing characteristics: long spindly legs, large mandibles?, fuzzy gaster, very fast lol
7. Distinguishing behavior: thirsty lol seems content in tt
8. Nest description: n/a

9. Nuptial flight time and date: N/A

The pics are from a cellphone, sorry about the quality !

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And sorry about the jibberish from image hosting...I'm too lazy to clean it up right now

Edited by StayLoki, May 3 2018 - 8:26 AM.

[VoidElecent]

Please edit this post to fit the conventional identification thread format. Crucial information, such as length, should not be missing.

 

Your ant looks awfully Camponotus-esque (C. nearcticus, perhaps), although we will need additional photographs from different angles. 

[StayLoki]

Ok i'll get some better ones. It's really fast and hard to get any that aren't blurry..plus the cam.qual doesn't help
Sorry guys

Camponotus?? So a carpenter ant?? 🐜

[VoidElecent]

Ok i'll get some better ones. It's really fast and hard to get any that aren't blurry..plus the cam.qual doesn't help
Sorry guys

Camponotus?? So a carpenter ant??

 

Based on your description, I would say this seems more like a Camponotus nearcticus or C. pennsylvanicus worker to me than a queen.

[StayLoki]

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I think I see wing scarring, when I looked at it in the sunlight, you can kind of see it in the first one of 3 above..so most likely a queen camponotus?

Edited by StayLoki, May 3 2018 - 8:46 AM.

[VoidElecent]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus worker.

[StayLoki]

Crap void.. You think it's just a worker??
I think I can see wing scarring in the sunlight(you can see what I'm seeing in the first one with the white backgrounds), but it doesn't look a queen to you?? .. Gaster would be bigger?

**thank you and think you're right, I google queens and workers quick, the queens are bulkier lol how big are they usually? so I know for looking next time?
I'm unfamiliar with Camponotus

Edited by StayLoki, May 3 2018 - 9:50 AM.

[Skwiggledork]

Hey a fellow ulster county ant keeper. My first "queen" was a Camponotus worker. lol

[CNewton]

Queens are closer to 15mm. But, you have workers which means you have nests, which means you'll have queens soon enough. I believe they are evening fliers.

[StayLoki]

Holy cow!!! 15mm?! Then yes this must be a worker. 👀 wow lol


Hey swiggle!!!! I thought I was the only ant nerd in Ulster - glad I'm not alone!!
Thank you for help guys!!

[CallMeCraven]

Look for queens about 30 minutes after sunset on days that get to around 75f. You can hang a black light to try to draw them in, but due to their large size, they are pretty easy to find moving across concrete with just a flashlight. The queens tend to be much slower than the workers, and stand out pretty easily due to their large size. They will be looking for cover in cracks in the concrete or under anything else they can get to, so make sure to flip stuff over.

[StayLoki]

^perfect. Thank you!! I'll keep looking.