Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • 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

Largest ant species in North America?

Started By Luke_in_AZ , Jun 27 2020 7:47 PM

  • Please log in to reply
20 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 27 2020 - 7:47 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

What is the largest ant species in North America?  From what I've seen, maybe camponotus pennsylvanicus?

 

Any ideas on what the largest species is found in the southwest desert (or Arizona)?

 


#2 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted June 27 2020 - 7:57 PM

TennesseeAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,920 posts
  • LocationNashville, Tennessee

What is the largest ant species in North America?  From what I've seen, maybe camponotus pennsylvanicus?

 

Any ideas on what the largest species is found in the southwest desert (or Arizona)?

In the US we have Atta mexicana, with queens at 24 mm. 


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

My Main Journal | My Neivamyrmex Journal | My Ant Adoption | My YouTube

Join the TennesseeAnts Discord Server! https://discord.gg/JbKwPgs

#3 Offline Aaron567 - Posted June 27 2020 - 9:25 PM

Aaron567

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,005 posts
  • LocationPensacola, FL

North America is pretty broad area; there are some very large Atta, Camponotus, Neoponera, and Odontomachus existing in tropical Mexico. If you're mainly only referring to the US and Canada, Atta mexicana and Atta texana probably win for queen size, and mexicana is found in the extreme southern part of Arizona. Other candidates for worker size could be Neoponera villosa of southern Texas, Camponotus socius of the southeastern US, and possibly some other Camponotus out west.


  • Mdrogun, AnthonyP163, FSTP and 5 others like this

#4 Offline ponerinecat - Posted June 28 2020 - 7:36 AM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

Well lucky you, you have mexicana.


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

#5 Offline Manitobant - Posted June 28 2020 - 9:16 AM

Manitobant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,899 posts
  • LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Well lucky you, you have mexicana.


Yeah, but they only exist at organ pipe cactus national monument, which is a 2 and a half hour drive from his area. Not sure if he'd want to go that far for queens...
  • Luke_in_AZ likes this
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#6 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 28 2020 - 9:17 AM

TechAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,303 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, California

Well lucky you, you have mexicana.


Yeah, but they only exist at organ pipe cactus national monument, which is a 2 and a half hour drive from his area. Not sure if he'd want to go that far for queens...
I would to get Atta lol.
  • TennesseeAnts, Manitobant and Luke_in_AZ like this
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#7 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 28 2020 - 10:11 AM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

If I was 100% certain I would find an Atta Mexicana queen I would go.  haha 

 

Probably worth looking for the largest Camponotus species I can find a little closer or in the desert right by my house in Phoenix. 


#8 Offline Froggy - Posted June 28 2020 - 12:59 PM

Froggy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 167 posts
  • LocationCave Creek, Arizona

If I was 100% certain I would find an Atta Mexicana queen I would go.  haha 

 

Probably worth looking for the largest Camponotus species I can find a little closer or in the desert right by my house in Phoenix. 

If your looking for large species, Novomessor are very common in Arizona and have large workers, I have a bunch of colony's in my yard, and I think I saw some queen larvae, so they will probably fly after the first storm of monsoon season, they are aggressive but don't sting and bites don't really hurt


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

#9 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 28 2020 - 3:36 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

If your looking for large species, Novomessor are very common in Arizona and have large workers, I have a bunch of colony's in my yard, and I think I saw some queen larvae, so they will probably fly after the first storm of monsoon season, they are aggressive but don't sting and bites don't really hurt

 

Thanks!  I'll keep an eye out for those.


  • Froggy likes this

#10 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 28 2020 - 10:08 PM

TechAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,303 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, California
You know your really to live in a state with Atta. We have our Acromyrmex and such, but Atta are so much bigger. (This is just my opinion and no offense to the other leaf-cutter species) And they look wayyyyy cooler.
  • Luke_in_AZ likes this
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#11 Offline Vendayn - Posted June 28 2020 - 11:18 PM

Vendayn

    Advanced Member

  • Banned
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,981 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California

I believe Atta are actually easier than Acromyrmex (versicolor). In Europe/Asia they have vastly more success with Atta than Acromyrmex in general. Atta in general actually seems easier from all the journals I've read of the European leafcutter setups. And I think Acromyrmex versicolor is actually a harder one due to its hybrid desert/humid requirements.


Edited by Vendayn, June 28 2020 - 11:19 PM.

  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

#12 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 29 2020 - 3:37 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

I'll be driving through Gila Bend, AZ next week which is only about an hour from the Organ Pipe area and can probably swing by and try to find some Atta mexicana queens but I've read they have super deep nests so it probably isn't worth it...


Edited by Luke_in_AZ, June 29 2020 - 3:54 PM.

#13 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 29 2020 - 3:53 PM

TechAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,303 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, California

I'll be driving through Gila Bend, AZ next week which is only about an hour from the Organ Pipe area and can probably swing by and try to find some Atta mexicana queens. 
 
I've never seen them before.  Any tips on trying to find some?  I hope to find a few and post pics!

I mean, they are hard to miss considering their huge. But I’m not an Atta expert (or any leaf cutting ants for that matter) so what can I say.
  • Luke_in_AZ likes this
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#14 Offline Broncos - Posted June 29 2020 - 3:56 PM

Broncos

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 724 posts
  • LocationOrange, California

I don't know the largest but I do know that Camponotus US CA-02 is pretty huge.


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

Currently Keeping:

Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bicolor & Concolor

Pogonomyrmex Subnitidius

Camponotus Sansabeanus

Youtube:https://www.youtube....-ants-tutorials

#15 Offline Aaron567 - Posted June 29 2020 - 3:57 PM

Aaron567

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,005 posts
  • LocationPensacola, FL

Atta texana in Texas has nuptial flights in April and May. Not sure if it's the same for Arizona's mexicana though.


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

#16 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 29 2020 - 4:31 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

 

I'll be driving through Gila Bend, AZ next week which is only about an hour from the Organ Pipe area and can probably swing by and try to find some Atta mexicana queens. 
 
I've never seen them before.  Any tips on trying to find some?  I hope to find a few and post pics!

I mean, they are hard to miss considering their huge. But I’m not an Atta expert (or any leaf cutting ants for that matter) so what can I say.

 

I was thinking it would be liking finding Camponotus but just read that some of their nest are the size of Olympic swimming pools deep in the ground so I probably won't be catching any queens!  haha


#17 Offline gcsnelling - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:14 PM

gcsnelling

    Expert

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,652 posts

Keep in mind collecting of any sort in Organ pipe is prohibited.


  • Luke_in_AZ likes this

#18 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:12 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona
Ah, good to know. Thanks. Guess I'll only be able to check the borders if anything.

#19 Offline Manitobant - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:16 PM

Manitobant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,899 posts
  • LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Ah, good to know. Thanks. Guess I'll only be able to check the borders if anything.

i mean you can still do it if you insist. Most places here don't care when i collect.


(Not trying to promote or condone illegal activity, just saying he can do what he wants)

Edited by Manitobant, June 29 2020 - 7:17 PM.

  • Luke_in_AZ likes this
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#20 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:52 PM

Luke_in_AZ

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 107 posts
  • LocationGilbert, Arizona

In the US we have Atta mexicana, with queens at 24 mm. 

 

This article was shared with me by Manitobant.  It agrees with you that Atta mexicana is "the largest north american ant known" (at least at the time it was written.

https://www.nps.gov/...intzer_3876.htm


Back to General · Next Unread Topic →


0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users