11 replies to this topic

[LIFEsize]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: stated in topic
2. Date of collection: 6/2/18
3. Habitat of collection: surrounded by vegetation in wood stack
4. Length (from head to gaster): .8-9cm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  dark-red color

6. Distinguishing characteristics: 2 nodes along thorax
7. Distinguishing behavior: not sure
8. Nest description: rotting log just under the bark

9. Nuptial flight time and date: captured pre-established

 

Album: June

8 images

0 comments

 

[rbarreto]

Looks like Aphaenogaster sp.

[LIFEsize]

Looks like Aphaenogaster sp.

 

I didn't even think about Aphaenogaster, I've never encountered them before    I was split between Pheidole and selonopsis and looks like I'm wrong on both, Thanks!

[rbarreto]

To be completely honest I suck at this but I do think its Aphaenogaster. They would be pretty easy to ID down to the species if you get better pictures.

[LIFEsize]

To be completely honest I suck at this but I do think its Aphaenogaster. They would be pretty easy to ID down to the species if you get better pictures.

 

Yeah, but I believe you're right, I've looked closer with pictures of aphaenogaster sp. and they strikingly resemble them. I'll see about getting better pictures next time a worker comes out to eat, my phone can't get good pictures through the glass.

[Batspiderfish]

Aphaenogaster are actually quite difficult to ID, even with good photographs, although there are a few species with some good tells.

[LIFEsize]

Aphaenogaster are actually quite difficult to ID, even with good photographs, although there are a few species with some good tells.

 

Here's one I missed that might be a little better

 

 

 

[FeedTheAnts]

It looks like it could be Aphaenogaster fulva. That is my best bet on the species.

[nick2253]

Without good pictures, it's extremely difficult to ID any but the most obvious species.  Have you tried running through the keys?  Based on the photos, your observations, and the suggestions of others, I'm pretty confident that this ant is in the Myrmicinae subfamily.  The keys for determining the genus within the Myrmicinae subfamily for North America are here: http://www.antwiki.o...a_of_Myrmicinae

 

Once you determine the genus, you can run through the species keys.  You'll probably not be able to determine the exact species without a microscope, and even then you may not be able to do it.

[LIFEsize]

It looks like it could be Aphaenogaster fulva. That is my best bet on the species.

Mind taking a second look? I figured out the magic of macro mode on a camera 

 

Album: June

8 images

0 comments

 

It still took a dozen bad shots, the angle couldn't be helped the tube is either smudged or glared.

[FeedTheAnts]

 

It looks like it could be Aphaenogaster fulva. That is my best bet on the species.

Mind taking a second look? I figured out the magic of macro mode on a camera 

 

 

 

It still took a dozen bad shots, the angle couldn't be helped the tube is either smudged or glared.

 

Like LC3 said, it probably isn't really realistic to think you'll be able to definitely identify it down to the species. But, I'm gonna say that it looks an awful lot like Aphaenogaster fulva. I actually have a colony of them and this is exactly what they look like. Other possibilities would be Aphaenogaster tennesseensis(not too likely as they are stunningly bright orange), or Aphaenogaster lamellidens.

[LIFEsize]

 

 

It looks like it could be Aphaenogaster fulva. That is my best bet on the species.

Mind taking a second look? I figured out the magic of macro mode on a camera 

 

 

 

It still took a dozen bad shots, the angle couldn't be helped the tube is either smudged or glared.

 

Like LC3 said, it probably isn't really realistic to think you'll be able to definitely identify it down to the species. But, I'm gonna say that it looks an awful lot like Aphaenogaster fulva. I actually have a colony of them and this is exactly what they look like. Other possibilities would be Aphaenogaster tennesseensis(not too likely as they are stunningly bright orange), or Aphaenogaster lamellidens.

 

 

That's enough for me, I'm happy with knowing the genus at the least.