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Requesting ID: Alphen aan den Rijn, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands 8-4-2018

myrmica rubra ant id grassland soil spikes sting

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#1 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted April 8 2018 - 9:59 AM

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1. Location of collection: just outside of Alphen aan den Rijn, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

 

2. Date of collection: 8 of April, 2018. Around 16:30.

 

3. Habitat of collection: Found in a greenhouse on dry soil. The greenhouse was near grassland.

 

4. Length (from head to gaster): around 5 mm (see picture 3)

 

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: A rusty red color over the entire body, with hairs all over the body. Shiny gaster.

 

6. Distinguishing characteristics: two spike-like appendages on the thorax of the ant. This makes me suspect it could be Myrmica rubra. (see picture 2)

 

7. Distinguishing behavior: Tried to sting collection vial roughly 10 times its size, but fled from group of Lasius niger

 

8. Nest description: I could not find a nest opening, but some of them were beneath a stone tile. No brood was present under said tile.

 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: No ants were flying

 

Sorry for the blurry pictures, my microscope isn't exactly high-end.

 

gqGdBYr.jpg

 

 

8cB69PS.jpg

Sorry for the blurry picture. These are the appendages I talked about. 

 

XHneLBI.jpg

As you can see, it's around 5 mm in length.

 



#2 Offline VoidElecent - Posted April 8 2018 - 10:29 AM

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What a marvelous identification thread. I think Myrmica is accurate, although getting down to the species level might be a bit of a pain. I can't seem to find any reliable guides covering that geographic region.


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#3 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted April 8 2018 - 10:32 AM

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What a marvelous identification thread. I think Myrmica is accurate, although getting down to the species level might be a bit of a pain. I can't seem to find any reliable guides covering that geographic region.

Thanks, I will look into the different Myrmica species in my area to hopefully get myself an exact species. 



#4 Offline Formicarius - Posted April 8 2018 - 2:03 PM

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My money is on Myrmica cf. rubra.



#5 Offline Rubenvis24 - Posted April 8 2018 - 2:07 PM

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My money is on Myrmica cf. rubra.


I suspect so too. Thanks for your input!

Edited by Rubenvis24, April 8 2018 - 2:08 PM.






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