9 replies to this topic

[anttics]

Hello. I was surprised to find a formica so. in Simi valley.

-located in lower rocky chaparral. with some pine and eucalyptus trees.

-found 1 major at 11 to 12mm. a bigger ant with maybe one head longer than this major. run like a race car to the bushes and lost her.

here are some pics.




minor next to her









I hope that large ant was not the queen. it was a established tiny colony. with maybe 10 workers. when I dig it. I'm sure there are more down since I did not see any brood. I threw the dirt back on top. so they are not exposed. if you can also tell me what to feed these ants. I will return tomorrow. to the same spot. I will release them back to their colony. with some treats for messing up their upper nest. as a sorry yall.

Edited by anttics, March 23 2018 - 3:23 PM.

[Serafine]

That's a Camponotus species. You can just give them some sugar water.

[anttics]

That's a Camponotus species. You can just give them some sugar water.

I'm no expert but it looks like a formica sp. the only desert Camponotus I know is Fragilis. which does not hibernate. the rest are in forest or high altitude forest, and mountains. Simi valley never get cold enough for ants to hibernate.

[ZllGGY]

definitely think that's Camponotus possibly Camponotus essigi or Camponotus festinatus ?

[AntsAreUs]

 

That's a Camponotus species. You can just give them some sugar water.

I'm no expert but it looks like a formica sp. the only desert Camponotus I know is Fragilis. which does not hibernate. the rest are in forest or high altitude forest, and mountains. Simi valley never get cold enough for ants to hibernate.

 

I agree with Serafine, definitely Camponotus sp. The larger ant is not a queen, but a major, considering its large head compared to its fellow minor beside it.

Edited by AntsAreUs, March 23 2018 - 4:25 PM.

[gcsnelling]

Yup, Camponotus.

[anttics]

I can't get better pics of her with out killing her. which I won't do. their colony is barely starting. I'm going back tomorrow so I'll release them. I was told I need to get a real face close up. I'll try it right now. they have settle in a test tube. I hear sugar water is all they need.

I got the pics.











I think. I solved it. Camponotus sansabeanus due to the giant super major that runned away. I think these are the biggest camps on California. this will be my next ant. they live 15 minutes away from me.

Edited by anttics, March 23 2018 - 5:40 PM.

[nurbs]

This is Camponotus. 

 

EDIT: Saw the size, most likely C. semitestaceus if found in the desert area. If closer to foothills possibly C. sansabeanus. We need closer clearer headshots. If the base of the scapes are flattened it is C. vicinus.

 

Check out this video, goto timemarker 1:56. See how the base of her scapes are like blades? That's C. vicinus.

 

 

 

 

 

Too large for C. essigi. 

 

definitely think that's Camponotus possibly Camponotus essigi or Camponotus festinatus ?

 

 

Edited by nurbs, March 23 2018 - 5:37 PM.

[anttics]

This is Camponotus.

EDIT: Saw the size, most likely C. semitestaceus if found in the desert area. If closer to foothills possibly C. sansabeanus. We need closer clearer headshots. If the base of the scapes are flattened it is C. vicinus.

Check out this video, goto timemarker 1:56. See how the base of her scapes are like blades? That's C. vicinus.






Too large for C. essigi.

definitely think that's Camponotus possibly Camponotus essigi or Camponotus festinatus ?

I found them on the foothills. of a huge rock formation. did you use your Iphone for these videos?. it has better detail than my macro pics.

[nurbs]

 

This is Camponotus.

EDIT: Saw the size, most likely C. semitestaceus if found in the desert area. If closer to foothills possibly C. sansabeanus. We need closer clearer headshots. If the base of the scapes are flattened it is C. vicinus.

Check out this video, goto timemarker 1:56. See how the base of her scapes are like blades? That's C. vicinus.






Too large for C. essigi.

definitely think that's Camponotus possibly Camponotus essigi or Camponotus festinatus ?
 

I found them on the foothills. of a huge rock formation. did you use your Iphone for these videos?. it has better detail than my macro pics.

 

 

 

Iphone with a macro lens. My iphone has two cameras. I clip the macro onto the telephoto lens.

 

Most likely C. vicinus or C. sansabeanus if near foothills.