2 replies to this topic

[Ikerrilove]

These photos were taken before I knew just how specific identification is for Ants. Hoping I have enough information to get some form of id

 

:
1. Location of collection: Next to a river in a small neighborhood with rocky beaches and forest near by. Braeside Ontario Canada. 

2. Date of collection: August 2nd 2018, 6PM
3. Habitat of collection: I'm unsure about this. I'm pretty sure this was a queen I found on the deck of a house on the riverfront. Behind that is a mall forest with lots of fallen trees and leaves. 
4. Length (to the nearest millimeter or 1/16th of an inch.): I'm not sure about this so I won't even try to guess. I know this lowers my chance of identification, sorry.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: I believe the pictures show it better then I can describe it at the moment.
 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: I'm not sure if she flew that day but I did find her on a deck and not the ground so I'd guess it to be very recent. I find a lot of queens in this spot and even witnessed ants climbing up the pillars to launch alates. I found 8 crematogasters on this deck in about an hour. I don't know if that information helps but 

 

 

[dermy]

I'm going to throw out Myrmica sp. out there. It is very difficult to ID Myrmica, but what you need to know is they will need to hunt during the founding phase. You will need to provide her with some dead insects [fruit flies would be great] and some small drips of honey/sugar water every now and again.

 

If you don't have the patience or the fruit flies etc. to feed the queen you could also try finding a nest of the same exact type of Myrmica and try stealing some pupae to brood boost her with but you'd need to make sure it's the same species, and that the pupae are workers and not alate pupae.

Edited by dermy, August 18 2018 - 7:54 AM.

[Ikerrilove]

I don't think I'd risk brood boosting I can't be sure it is the same species as I'm still learning what to look for.

 

Thanks.