47 replies to this topic

[Pulliamj]

1. Location of collection: Weatherford,Texas
2. Date of collection: April 1, 2015
3. Habitat of collection: Wooded lot, specifically behind rotten bark.
4. Length (from head to gaster):11/16"
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Mainly black with 3 yellow/orange distinct irradescent rings on gaster. Small hairs can be seen on gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: It appears that this is a queen; the scars from the wings can be seen with the naked eye.
7. Anything else distinctive: This is the largest one I have ever caught.
8. Nest description: Rotten tree trunk

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Edited by Pulliamj, April 9 2015 - 3:20 PM.

[dean_k]

It looks like a Camponotus species to me.

[Pulliamj]

I know they are bad pictures but is this a queen?

[dean_k]

Yes, I am positive that it is a queen.

[Pulliamj]

I have 3 that I caught. They all have the same scar. The one I posted is quite a bit larger than the other 2. She also has a larger abdomen. Is there a place here where I can read up on how to care for them. I want to raise a colony. Right now they are all in there own tube.

[dean_k]

I shall refer you to our Lady Crystal's handy links thread.

 

http://www.formicult...of-handy-links/

 

Meanwhile, for the time being, keep them in the glass tubes but lay it horizontally for more space for ants to move around.

Edited by dean_k, April 1 2015 - 12:12 PM.

[Crystals]

Welcome to the forum. 

 

That is a Camponotus queen.  Not a species I am familiar with, but I am up in Canada.

Species in Texas: http://www.antweb.or...e&genCache=true

 

Beginner's Ant Guide: http://forum.formicu...-for-beginners/

Various Setups for Founding queens: http://www.formicult...ounding-queens/

 

The link dean provided has a lot of interesting information for a new ant keeper and I highly recommend it.

[Jonathan21700]

Welcome to the forum!

[Pulliamj]

Thanks guys. Lots of info to read through. I caught 2 more (5) in all now. Hopefully I will success.

[dspdrew]

Welcome. Nice catch.

[Pulliamj]

How do I zoom in close enough to the face to determine the species?

[Chromerust]

How are you finding these? We're they hiding under stuff during the day? I'm curious what time those may have flown.

[dspdrew]

How do I zoom in close enough to the face to determine the species?

 

It all depends on your camera. But the face certainly would help in Identifying the species.

[Crystals]

It all depends on your camera.  Get the camera as close as you can for a good head and side shot.  Then crop the image to make it seem larger.

[Pulliamj]

I found some crawling on concrete. I found most by pulling off dead bark. But I only found the queen no eggs or other ants.

Maybe I can use a microscope at some point down the road.

[Pulliamj]

I found some crawling on concrete. I found most by pulling off dead bark. But I only found the queen no eggs or other ants.

Maybe I can use a microscope at some point down the road.
This is my 3rd year to try and catch queens. So it's either luck or I'm getting better lol.

[Crystals]

Practice. 

 

I use a usb microscope.  I have a more expensive one and then I have this cheap one - http://www.dx.com/p/...96#.VRyp9-H15Kg

The software isn't the greatest, but it allows some decent closeups for the price.

[Pulliamj]

I caught 1 more. I put this one with another one. They greeted each other and didn't fight. It's been 1 hour now and still doing okay. Should I separate them or leave them together?

[dean_k]

Camponotus queens will never get along with each other. Separate them ASAP.

[Pulliamj]

Okay all in their own container now. I didn't have enough test tubes had to improvise.