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Dracut, MA (4/29/17)


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#1 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 29 2017 - 7:17 AM

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1. Location of collection: Dracut, Massachusetts
2. Date of collection: 2/29/17
3. Habitat of collection: Front Yard on the edge of a small forest.
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~5 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  Dark red mesosoma and legs, black head and gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Postpetiole absent.
7. Distinguishing behavior: This ant was walking on the ground next to some trees. Prenolepis imparis and Tetramorium cf. caespitum were foraging very close.

8. Nest description: Nest not found

 

I am assuming Camponotus nearcticus or Camponotus caryae for this girl.

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#2 Offline Cindy - Posted April 29 2017 - 7:58 AM

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Unless you have walnut trees nearby, your best bet is camponotus nearcticus. I have a ton of these workers in my yard and coloration highly varies. Some have red mesosomas while some have black. They all have red legs, however.
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#3 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 29 2017 - 8:17 AM

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Unless you have walnut trees nearby, your best bet is camponotus nearcticus. I have a ton of these workers in my yard and coloration highly varies. Some have red mesosomas while some have black. They all have red legs, however.

The color vary part is very relatable. I just found another (I think a major) also with a black mesosoma.



#4 Offline VoidElecent - Posted April 29 2017 - 2:32 PM

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Unless you have walnut trees nearby, your best bet is camponotus nearcticus. I have a ton of these workers in my yard and coloration highly varies. Some have red mesosomas while some have black. They all have red legs, however.

The color vary part is very relatable. I just found another (I think a major) also with a black mesosoma.

 

 

I've found lots of workers very similar, if not identical, to this one in my front yard. Their colorations vary as well, some have lighter mesosomas and larger heads, while other workers are much smaller, jet black and shiny. Planning on starting an ID thread for mine, as well. I'm going with either C. nearcticus, or C. caryae.

 

edit: I didn't even see that you listed C. caryae and C. nearcticus as possibilities as well! :)


Edited by VoidElecent, April 29 2017 - 2:36 PM.


#5 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted April 29 2017 - 2:44 PM

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Hair coverage on the gena (cheeks) will tell them apart. Camponotus nearcticus has none.


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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.


#6 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 29 2017 - 2:46 PM

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Hair coverage on the gena (cheeks) will tell them apart. Camponotus nearcticus has none.


Don't have the necessary tools for that, so I'll have to leave it at those two. One of the trees they forage on IS a walnut tree.




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