8 replies to this topic

[AntTeen804]

Just found my first queen of this season!!! It was on my friends driveway when I saw it

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[Jonathan21700]

Myrmecocystus?

[Crystals]

Please include details from here: http://www.formicult...t-a-new-thread/

 

Size and other details quite important to ID most species.

[NorthEdge]

Normally Crystals request would be very important to an id of any ant, however because of the time of year and based off of your photos you can be almost certain this is Prenolepis imparis. They are known as the winter ant or the false honey ant. They are called winter ants because they are the first ants active in spring and function best at cooler temperatures. At the height of summer these ants will often estivate to avoid the heat. They are also called false honey ants because they make repletes like honeypot ants do. Their repletes are no where near as impressive however. 

 

Now if you want to keep these ants you will need to be patient with them. They have very slow brood development times and you might not have workers until early to mid summer. 

[AntTeen804]

Thanks it does look like Prenelopis imparis

[dspdrew]

Normally Crystals request would be very important to an id of any ant, however because of the time of year and based off of your photos you can be almost certain this is Prenolepis imparis. They are known as the winter ant or the false honey ant. They are called winter ants because they are the first ants active in spring and function best at cooler temperatures. At the height of summer these ants will often estivate to avoid the heat. They are also called false honey ants because they make repletes like honeypot ants do. Their repletes are no where near as impressive however. 

 

Now if you want to keep these ants you will need to be patient with them. They have very slow brood development times and you might not have workers until early to mid summer. 

 

I was thinking the same thing.

[Gregory2455]

Thanks it does look like Prenelopis imparis

Lucky... At least someone got Prenolepis this season...

 

 

Myrmecocystus?

Not in Virginia.

[AntTeen804]

I might see if atom ant is interested in this queen

[Jonathan21700]

I agree on Prenolepis imparis.

Edited by Jonathan21700, April 4 2015 - 12:55 PM.