6 replies to this topic

[Ender Ants]

So I’ve been trying to figure out what species this queen may be. My best guess is Myrmecocystus, since I have not seen anything as similar to it, than that species.

I’ve also been told that the maxillary palp, or the two, thin somewhat tentacle/antennae on the bottom of the head of the queen is longer than most species, which this queen has. Correct me if I’m wrong, since I don’t know that much about an Ant’s anatomy, other than the basic knowledge similarities between most insects. (Thorax, abdomen, etc.)

Onto the queen, here is the information:

Location: Mojave Desert (Northern)
Time: Around 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Size: 6-7mm long
Color: Dark Black
Pictures:







If you need any more pictures, I’ll try to get them as soon as possible

Edited by Ender Ants, April 7 2018 - 8:26 AM.

[dspdrew]

Looks like Myrmecocystus to me. Probably M. tenuinodis. Not sure if it will be fertile or not if it was walking around and still has wings.

[Zen]

Looks like it is potentially Myrmecocystus Testaceus based on time of flight and some of the stripes on the gaster, I am not entirely sure yet.

[gcsnelling]

Possibly  Myrmecocystus testaceus (Note the small "T"). but time will tell.

[dspdrew]

Pretty much every M. testaceus queen I have seen has had yellow appendages. That's why I guessed M. tenuinodis, or at least the ones I think are M. tenuinodis.

 

Edit: The appendages actually do look kind of yellow in some of the pictures. Need better lighting.

Edited by dspdrew, April 10 2018 - 4:15 PM.

[gcsnelling]

I concur, better lighting is a must.

[Ender Ants]

Pretty much every M. testaceus queen I have seen has had yellow appendages. That's why I guessed M. tenuinodis, or at least the ones I think are M. tenuinodis.

Edit: The appendages actually do look kind of yellow in some of the pictures. Need better lighting.

Sorry for the late reply, had problems signing in. Here are some more pictures.
When shined on by the light, she seems to have very light yellow legs, but are just black with no light.
She has also laid 3 eggs.

I concur, better lighting is a must.

Edited by Ender Ants, April 14 2018 - 1:01 PM.