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Novomessor worker caught near Morristown, AZ 1-7-18


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#1 Offline RisingFromTheAshes - Posted January 7 2018 - 8:55 AM

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Hi, I am looking for a confirmation of species.  I found a nest yesterday with workers foraging around and caught one for identification purposes.  I believe she is a Novomessor cockerelli but I read they are very similar to N. albisetosus. I was hoping someone with more knowledge could help.  Sorry about the quality of some of the photos, I do not have a macro lens for my cameras yet and in the straight on sideways picture she was grooming her antennae instead of posing nicely. Thanks!!

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Hills near Morristown, Arizona ,  northwest of Phoenix towards Wickenburg
2. Date of collection: 1/6/2018
3. Habitat of collection: hilly desert scrub,  next to a dried up wash , over cast sky and temps near 65-70 degrees F
4. Length (from head to gaster): 8mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: dark- medium red head and thorax, black shiny gastor with red patches at attachment to petiole nodes, hairs on gastor
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Very long legs, two petiole nodes, 2 backwards curving spines near the caudal end of the thorax, very thin waist, Thorax sections seem fused maybe?
7. Distinguishing behavior:  none really, they were foraging around and 3 workers were carrying a honey bee back to the nest.
8. Nest description:  A large hole between some rocks with pebbles spread out at about a foot around the entrance,  Near an old wash that is used as a road.
 

20180107 080646
20180107 080415
20180107 080215

 

20180106 151501

 
 



#2 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 7 2018 - 9:11 AM

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Man, the Novomessor key is insane. It took me hours just to read through the whole thing. :lol:

 

http://antwiki.org/w...omessor_species

 

I'm not sure if your pictures are good enough make a positive ID.


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#3 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 7 2018 - 2:03 PM

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Based on the key I would call this N. albisetosus.


Edited by gcsnelling, January 7 2018 - 2:03 PM.


#4 Offline nurbs - Posted January 8 2018 - 10:38 AM

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Man, the Novomessor key is insane. It took me hours just to read through the whole thing. :lol:

 

http://antwiki.org/w...omessor_species

 

I'm not sure if your pictures are good enough make a positive ID.

 

That key is crazy confusing.


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#5 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 8 2018 - 3:57 PM

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Crazy easy.. Ignore N. ensifer as it does not occur in the U. S.






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