12 replies to this topic

[Lisberg]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Limfjorden, Eskov, Denmark
2. Date of collection: 18th of April, 2019
3. Habitat of collection: Beach, At the edge of the Saltwater sea.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 11 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black "feet" sliding into Amber legs and sliding back to black body, Gaster is bold and quiet shiny.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: eyeshape is a triangle with rounded corners. There is absolutely no hair on its body.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Very active, and spending a lot of time grooming the antenna.
8. Nest description: Not found in or near a visible nest.
9. Nuptial flight time and date: Found it around 2 PM, on the first day with 15C. was 10C warmer than the day before and Wind was coming from the north.

[Images of ant]





Habitat





I think it might be a formica rufa queen, since the head is as big as it is, and males tends to have smaller heads.
Anyone who can confirm ?

Edited by Lisberg, April 19 2019 - 2:24 PM.

[rbarreto]

Definitely Formica queen.

[Jefw1f]

Wow, gorgeous color! Great catch

[Lisberg]

Wow, gorgeous color! Great catch

Thanks


Does anyone know how to i can identify the correct species ?.. I know that Formica Rufa needs some helper ants to start a colony?, is there any books where i can lookup every know ant species ?

[FeedTheAnts]

 

Wow, gorgeous color! Great catch

Thanks


Does anyone know how to i can identify the correct species ?.. I know that Formica Rufa needs some helper ants to start a colony?, is there any books where i can lookup every know ant species ?

 

Check antweb.org

I think it's Formica rufa

[Barristan]

It is a little bit early for Formica rufa.

My guess would be Formica pratensis, which can fly quite early (starting April). The colors look quite similar but the black color of the scutellum and gaster is dull for Formica pratensis while it is quite shiny for Formica rufa and Formica polyctena.

 

Formica pratensis is a social parasitic ant species so the queens needs at least pupae of slave ant species, e. g. Formica fusca, Formica rufibarbis etc.

Edited by Barristan, April 20 2019 - 7:37 AM.

[Lisberg]

It is a little bit early for Formica rufa.

My guess would be Formica pratensis, which can fly quite early (starting April). The colors look quite similar but the black color of the scutellum and gaster is dull for Formica pratensis while it is quite shiny for Formica rufa and Formica polyctena.

 

Formica pratensis is a social parasitic ant species so the queens needs at least pupae of slave ant species, e. g. Formica fusca, Formica rufibarbis etc.

 

After looking it up, i think you are quite right.. i found these photos on a polish web.

https://kb.formicope...rolowa_MAck.jpg

And they look a lot like the ant i've caught... So today i went out, and found some pupae and ants of Formica Fusca's .. the ants are now in the refrigerator and the pupae is at the queen.

Edited by Lisberg, April 20 2019 - 7:52 AM.

[Manitobant]

It is a little bit early for Formica rufa.
My guess would be Formica pratensis, which can fly quite early (starting April). The colors look quite similar but the black color of the scutellum and gaster is dull for Formica pratensis while it is quite shiny for Formica rufa and Formica polyctena.
 
Formica pratensis is a social parasitic ant species so the queens needs at least pupae of slave ant species, e. g. Formica fusca, Formica rufibarbis etc.

 
After looking it up, i think you are quite right.. i found these photos on a polish web.https://kb.formicope...rolowa_MAck.jpg
And they look a lot like the ant i've caught... So today i went out, and found some pupae and ants of Formica Fusca's .. the ants are now in the refrigerator and the pupae is at the queen.

don’t bother with the ants. Only pupae are needed to found Formica parasites.

[Lisberg]

 

 

It is a little bit early for Formica rufa.
My guess would be Formica pratensis, which can fly quite early (starting April). The colors look quite similar but the black color of the scutellum and gaster is dull for Formica pratensis while it is quite shiny for Formica rufa and Formica polyctena.
 
Formica pratensis is a social parasitic ant species so the queens needs at least pupae of slave ant species, e. g. Formica fusca, Formica rufibarbis etc.

 
After looking it up, i think you are quite right.. i found these photos on a polish web.https://kb.formicope...rolowa_MAck.jpg
And they look a lot like the ant i've caught... So today i went out, and found some pupae and ants of Formica Fusca's .. the ants are now in the refrigerator and the pupae is at the queen.

don’t bother with the ants. Only pupae are needed to found Formica parasites.

 

 

 

Does it help to "add" ants ?
She does not look interested in the pupae ?, is this normal behavior, they are not very well described, as far as i can find online

[Acutus]

Beautiful ant! and I just learned a TON of stuff from this post! I had no idea there were ants that had that type of life cycle!

[Barristan]

Beautiful ant! and I just learned a TON of stuff from this post! I had no idea there were ants that had that type of life cycle!

 

If you want to learn more about social parasitism among ants (and the different types) check out the review Prof. Alfred Buschinger wrote: Social parasitism among ants: a review

[Acutus]

 

Beautiful ant! and I just learned a TON of stuff from this post! I had no idea there were ants that had that type of life cycle!

 

If you want to learn more about social parasitism among ants (and the different types) check out the review Prof. Alfred Buschinger wrote: Social parasitism among ants: a review

 

 

Will do thank you!!

[Lisberg]

It seems that the Formica Pratensis does not live in Denmark - Soo i check the national register of wildlife, and found something called "Stubmyre" translated "Stump Ant"... a Formica truncorum .

 

They apparently varies quiet a bit in color - but so far this will be my guess

 

I take that back.. it is indeed a Formica Pratesis.

Edited by Lisberg, April 21 2019 - 1:33 PM.