Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Formica sp. (Raptiformica) ID request Marion, Indiana - 7/6/18


  • Please log in to reply
12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 6 2018 - 8:53 AM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Marion, IN
2. Date of collection: 7/3/18
3. Habitat of collection: Forest edge
4. Length (from head to gaster): 8-9mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior: Frequently raids Formica subsericea
8. Nest description: Nests in open grassy areas by forest edge

9. Nuptial flight time and date: N/A

 

vrOSGq9.jpg?1

Kuv3tZT.jpg

KdKh2IS.jpg

 

 

I am fairly positive they are Formica pergandei based off a previous ID of some workers I collected.


  • LC3 and rdurham02 like this

#2 Offline Dotdispenser - Posted July 6 2018 - 10:35 AM

Dotdispenser

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 71 posts
  • LocationMorristown, Tennessee
Closely resembles a species (to the naked eye—identical) I caught. Mine was identified as Formica aserva. I’m fairy bad at ant identification, but thought I’d throw that out to you so you can maybe find some minor differences.

Nurturer of:

• 1 Camponotus castaneus

• 1 Camponotus subbarbatus

• 1 Formica incerta

• 1 Formica subsericea

• 1 Crematogaster cf. ashmeadi

• 1 Crematogaster missouriensis


#3 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 6 2018 - 10:44 AM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

Closely resembles a species (to the naked eye—identical) I caught. Mine was identified as Formica aserva. I’m fairy bad at ant identification, but thought I’d throw that out to you so you can maybe find some minor differences.

Several years ago I thought that too when I caught these queens. The major difference is a slight notch in the clypeus that is somewhat shown in the head view. This concludes it isn't F. aserva.


Edited by AntsAreUs, July 12 2018 - 8:14 PM.


#4 Offline Martialis - Posted July 12 2018 - 8:09 PM

Martialis

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,516 posts
  • LocationMississippi

deleted


Edited by Martialis, July 12 2018 - 8:10 PM.

Spoiler

#5 Offline Zxirl - Posted July 15 2018 - 2:52 PM

Zxirl

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 55 posts

How do you take such amazing pictures? 

My initial thought was Formica aserva, but you've already ruled that out...


Spoiler

#6 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted July 15 2018 - 3:13 PM

AnthonyP163

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 973 posts
  • LocationWaukesha, Wisconsin.

Appears to be Formica subintegra or Formica pergandei.

 

Edit: Likely F. pergandei if it's truly Raptiformica.


Edited by AnthonyP163, July 15 2018 - 3:15 PM.


Ant Keeping & Ethology Discord - 2000+ Members and growing

Statesideants.com - order live ants legally in the US

 


#7 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 15 2018 - 3:21 PM

Batspiderfish

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,614 posts

Formica aserva have one of the most shallow clypeal notches, but they have one nonetheless. The presence of hairs on the pronotum disqualifies that possibility, though. It's probably worth mentioning that all the species named so far are indeed from the sanguinea group.

I'm afraid the pictures don't show enough detail to pin an ID on this queen, from a difficult genus. It would be easier to identify the workers, regardless.


Edited by Batspiderfish, July 15 2018 - 3:21 PM.

If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#8 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 15 2018 - 5:36 PM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

Formica aserva have one of the most shallow clypeal notches, but they have one nonetheless. The presence of hairs on the pronotum disqualifies that possibility, though. It's probably worth mentioning that all the species named so far are indeed from the sanguinea group.

I'm afraid the pictures don't show enough detail to pin an ID on this queen, from a difficult genus. It would be easier to identify the workers, regardless.

Yea, it wasn't clear whether or not they were in the Raptiformica or Sanguinea group and was basing it off antwiki. I will get pictures of a worker up soon



#9 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 15 2018 - 7:08 PM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

Here is the worker's pictures:

 

ol2PVJe.jpg

kHtS9HN.jpg



#10 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 15 2018 - 8:46 PM

Batspiderfish

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,614 posts

I could hardly ask for more!

The pronotal hairs of the worker look a little short to be Formica pergandei. I would go with Formica rubicunda, since the petiolar crest is also sharp (or is it just the picture?). I've been trying to keep this species for a little while, but the colony isn't doing very well. It would seem that they are obligate raiders.


Edited by Batspiderfish, July 15 2018 - 8:50 PM.

If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#11 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 15 2018 - 8:54 PM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

I could hardly ask for more!

The pronotal hairs of the worker look a little short to be Formica pergandei. I would go with Formica rubicunda, since the petiolar crest is also sharp (or is it just the picture?). I've been trying to keep this species for a little while, but the colony isn't doing very well. It would seem that they are obligate raiders.

You got them through the founding stage?? Mine just sit there doing nothing and die.



#12 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 15 2018 - 8:57 PM

Batspiderfish

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,614 posts

Yes, but the workers don't do anything but run around the foraging area and sip sugar, presumably looking for host workers. I'll probably have to put them down if it appears that there is no brood care after the last host worker dies off. In the wild, you only see them above-ground during raids, which is a decent indicator that they don't do anything but hunt the brood of other ants.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#13 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted July 16 2018 - 8:23 AM

AntsAreUs

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,029 posts
  • LocationMarion, IN

How do you take such amazing pictures? 

My initial thought was Formica aserva, but you've already ruled that out...

Macro lens clip on an iPod Touch. I just simply cropped the images down to make them look closer.


Edited by AntsAreUs, July 16 2018 - 8:24 AM.





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users