10 replies to this topic

[n1ck]

1. Location of collection

Northern Italy

 

2. Date of collection

21/04/2018

3. Habitat of collection

Forest, near some dead wood logs, there were also some workers there, not sure if it was a nest. There's also a river nearby

4. Length

14-16mm

5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture

Black, lighter stripes on the gaster

6. Distinguishing characteristics 

Hope photos are enough

7. Anything else distinctive

No

8. Nest description 

Dead wood, if it was really the nest

 

Photos:

https://imgur.com/a/9ckb6On

 

I know in my area camponotus vagus should be quite common and as far as i know it seems to match. Also there are not many species this big in italy.

 

Thanks

[Hunter]

Camponotus i think

[VoidElecent]

Camponotus cf. vagus. 

[n1ck]

Thanks. Let's hope now that she's fertile.

The fact that she was so close to the nest and that i haven't seen any alates around makes me think it's not likely.

 

I have heard that sometimes not fertile queens that don't leave the nest are accepted as workers instead of being killed, could be this the case?

[VoidElecent]

Thanks. Let's hope now that she's fertile.

The fact that she was so close to the nest and that i haven't seen any alates around makes me think it's not likely.

 

I have heard that sometimes not fertile queens that don't leave the nest are accepted as workers instead of being killed, could be this the case?

 

It's a possibility, but you didn't catch her in the nest, right? She also doesn't have any wings, which is reassuring.

[n1ck]

 

Thanks. Let's hope now that she's fertile.

The fact that she was so close to the nest and that i haven't seen any alates around makes me think it's not likely.

 

I have heard that sometimes not fertile queens that don't leave the nest are accepted as workers instead of being killed, could be this the case?

 

It's a possibility, but you didn't catch her in the nest, right? She also doesn't have any wings, which is reassuring.

 

 

Well, she was in the grass but probably less then 20cm from the wood log

[Jonathan21700]

It's looks like you have found a queen that flew last year and had a small founding colony, I don't think they have flown yet and also notice the small depleted gaster.

Edited by Jonathan21700, April 23 2018 - 7:25 AM.

[n1ck]

It's looks like you have found a queen that flew last year and had a small founding colony, I don't think they have flown yet and also notice the small depleted gaster.

 

That's exactly what i was thinking. I will be back to check this same spot one of these days if i see signs that ants just had their nuptial flight then i can release her where she was found.

 

Meanwhile i gave her some honey, just in case.

[Barristan]

Camponotus vagus has had already nuptial flights in at least Austria so I think they already had them in Italy too.  Camponotus fallax could also be possible they look quite similar.

[Jonathan21700]

Camponotus vagus has had already nuptial flights in at least Austria so I think they already had them in Italy too.  Camponotus fallax could also be possible they look quite similar.

Oh cool, can you send me a link to that record if you have? When exactly did they fly? I think she is from last year because of the depleted gaster and the way he found her but who knows.

Edited by Jonathan21700, April 24 2018 - 10:14 AM.

[Barristan]

http://www.ameisenpo...?p=15691#p15691