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

Queen ID, triple upper thorax plates, Copenhagen, 2017.7.26


  • Please log in to reply
8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline chatogaster - Posted July 27 2017 - 3:11 PM

chatogaster

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 14 posts
  • LocationCopenhagen
Hey,
 
Found this queen(?) hanging out in an area with many Lasius niger colonies during their nuptial flight. Seemed like she didn't want to fly anymore and was casually looking for a hiding spot. Size, color and body proportions similar to lasius, but that top thorax plate divided in three is funky. If not for these plates, I wouldn't have noticed it's different. Also after a day she still has her wings, while all lasius queens lost them as soon as they landed.
 
1. Location (on a map) of collection: Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Date of collection: 2017.7.26
3. Habitat of collection: city, pavement through a grass patch, sunny
4. Length (from head to gaster): 10mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black, somewhat matte, gaster with a silver shine - probably lots of tiny hairs
6. Distinguishing characteristics: top thorax plate divided in three parts
 
Sorry for the poor photos. Don't have a macro lens yet, so this is a flipped wide lens  :whistle:  Very hard to catch anything in focus.
 
 
TZJuyWl.jpg
LW2C1M6.jpg

Camponotus herculeanus

Lasius niger

Mystery ant


#2 Offline Bracchymyrmex - Posted July 27 2017 - 3:55 PM

Bracchymyrmex

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 321 posts
  • LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Appears to be from the genus Lasius. Perhaps Lasius niger or neglectus.


  • chatogaster likes this

#3 Offline chatogaster - Posted July 27 2017 - 4:28 PM

chatogaster

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 14 posts
  • LocationCopenhagen
Are there any reference photos that would confirm it? None of the photos of niger or neglectus I could find online feature a thorax like that.

Camponotus herculeanus

Lasius niger

Mystery ant


#4 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 27 2017 - 4:48 PM

FeedTheAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,238 posts
  • LocationVirginia

I highly doubt this is Lasius, I have no idea what it could be though. So strange with that thorax. :thinking:


  • chatogaster likes this

I accidentally froze all my ants 


#5 Offline Bracchymyrmex - Posted July 27 2017 - 4:56 PM

Bracchymyrmex

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 321 posts
  • LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania


  • chatogaster likes this

#6 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 27 2017 - 5:08 PM

Batspiderfish

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,614 posts

That is an interesting abnormality on a Lasius sp. queen.


  • chatogaster likes this

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.


#7 Offline chatogaster - Posted July 28 2017 - 2:03 AM

chatogaster

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 14 posts
  • LocationCopenhagen

@Bracchymyrmex: I know this photo, but none of the queens in it have a thorax like that...


Camponotus herculeanus

Lasius niger

Mystery ant


#8 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted July 30 2017 - 2:19 PM

Jonathan21700

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 807 posts

Interesting and nice find! I guess it's just a mutation. Lasius for sure.


  • chatogaster likes this

#9 Offline chatogaster - Posted August 3 2017 - 2:04 AM

chatogaster

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 14 posts
  • LocationCopenhagen

Got a macro lens for my phone, so that's better than nothing. Some new pictures.

 

During the week the queen hasn't lost its wings or laid eggs. A Lasius niger queen caught on the same day laid eggs a couple days ago already.

 

If it's indeed a Lasius niger with a mutation or a development flaw, it might have prevented it from flying and getting fertilized. Or maybe it's a social parasite? There are a few of Lasius sp. that are.  :unknown:

 

RNdWhcr.jpg

 

PjIPE8T.jpg


Camponotus herculeanus

Lasius niger

Mystery ant





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users