199 replies to this topic

[AntsDakota]

 

 

Stigmatomma really isn't that scary. They're not big, and the same general shape as Ponera. They do drink their own larvae's hemolymph, though.....

general shape, besides huge serrated jaws.

 

Eh, the petiole is completely different from any Ponerine.

 

I guess I wouldn't consider petiole configuration part of the 'general shape'.

[ponerinecat]

 

 

Stigmatomma really isn't that scary. They're not big, and the same general shape as Ponera. They do drink their own larvae's hemolymph, though.....

general shape, besides huge serrated jaws.

 

Eh, the petiole is completely different from any Ponerine.

 

Well, yes, but in general they're kind of similar. Slow, worm like body, cryptic lifestyle, almost pure predatory diet.

[NickAnter]

Uhh.  I think there are Acromyrmex on the Southern tip of the Americas which are commonly exposed to freezing temperatures.  I mean, they are pretty dang close to Antarctica.

[AntsDakota]

Ok, I'll change that. 

[AntsDakota]

Lasius inflatus is a species of Formicinae ants inhabiting the arid western regions of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, yet have spread to eastern North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and remotely in the western most regions of Wisconsin and Illinois. Queens are 6-7 mm and workers are 2-3 mm. Queens are a pale black, and workers are dark brown with brown gasters. Egg to worker takes around 4-5 weeks at 60 degrees F. Queens are highly polygynous. Nuptial flights occur in early August. This species, as its name suggests, has repletes; they are larger than those of Prenolepis, even rivaling those of Myrmecocystus. It is for this reason that nests can stay active all year round. Brood can develop above 40 degrees F, and is fed by the repletes. Colonies can exceed 20,000 workers, and queens are often extremely physogastric. Nests can be several yards deep, and during the winter colonies inhabit the lowest chambers, where the temperature is most stable.

[AntsDakota]

Pogonomyrmex dakotensis is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is native to arid regions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming. This species naturally eats grass seed, as well as the seeds of flowering plants. Colonies also actively hunt insects if seeds are in short supply. Queens are polygynous and small, around 6-7 mm long. Workers are also small, only around 4 mm in length. Colonies are known to grow to massive proportions, sometimes several hundred thousand workers. Colonies will accept new queens landing from their nuptial flight. Nuptial flights occur in mid to late July. Separate colonies are known for their aggressive nature, constantly battling each other over territory and resources. These ants have potent stingers and unusually strong mandibles, and will sting and rip each other to death in close combat. As colonies expand their territory, they plant satellite nests, and invade satellite nests of enemy colonies. Satellite nests are placed strategically within their territory to give an advantage in their ever raging wars. Workers develop quite quickly, between 3-4 weeks if conditions are favorable. 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Formica Defenseus 

A forgotten species of Iridomyrmex, and a cousin to Argentine ants, Iridomyrmex Defenseus is a species of ant that specializes in defending it's home from invaders and non-natives. It's soldiers have heads larger than any ant known to man and it's workers have gasters that hold the record for length and range of formic acid spraying. On the offensive it is one of the most feared ants, wiping out entire matured colonies of RIFAs in a day, and pushing back Argentine ants. Coupled with it's record holding body features, the incubation period of these ants is incredible for it's size! Workers develop in 2.5 weeks and soldiers in 3 weeks! This is due to the colony's free hands making as much friction energy as possible in order to heat the nest and speed up development of brood. Furthermore, the worker cast can function as relpeates rivaling that of Prenolepis which can suffice the colony's food needs for months sometimes even years at a time. This new species was one of the oldest ants, some fossils dating back to the first ants found! The new genus is just a single genus of the hundreds of new defensive ants that have awoken or evolved to help protect against RIFAs, BIFAs, and Argentine ants. Some new ants have even perfected the growth of fungus with minimal substrate, tripling what Trachymermex make in a few months! 

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, March 28 2020 - 5:12 PM.

[zantezaint]

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=VcgRaf38uCQ

[NickAnter]

Iridomyrmex Defenseus 

A forgotten species of Iridomyrmex, and a cousin to Argentine ants, Iridomyrmex Defenseus is a species of ant that specializes in defending it's home from invaders and non-natives. It's soldiers have heads larger than any ant known to man and it's workers have gasters that hold the record for length and range of formic acid spraying. On the offensive it is one of the most feared ants, wiping out entire matured colonies of RIFAs in a day, and pushing back Argentine ants. Coupled with it's record holding body features, the incubation period of these ants is incredible for it's size! Workers develop in 2.5 weeks and soldiers in 3 weeks! This is due to the colony's free hands making as much friction energy as possible in order to heat the nest and speed up development of brood. Furthermore, the worker cast can function as relpeates rivaling that of Prenolepis which can suffice the colony's food needs for months sometimes even years at a time. This new species was one of the oldest ants, some fossils dating back to the first ants found! The new genus is just a single genus of the hundreds of new defensive ants that have awoken or evolved to help protect against RIFAs, BIFAs, and Argentine ants. Some new ants have even perfected the growth of fungus with minimal substrate, tripling what Trachymermex make in a few months! 

Uhhh. Dolichoderines don't have formic acid.     Better make it Lasius or Formica lol.

[Manitobant]

Formica kimensis

Formica kimensis is a rufa group formica species endemic to north korea. Like other rufa group species, it builds huge thatch nests out of pine needles. These dominate north korean forests and are an incredible sight. However, their most interesting trait is their formic acid. It causes attackers to become extremely dizzy and often leads to them puking uncontrollably. The dizziness can last for hours and put even full grown humans in extreme agony. This is of special interest to the north korean government, who have been known to use the ant's acid for torture and interrogation. It is super effective for this, and survivors who defected have said that they still have nightmares about the experience.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

wow...poor South Korea

[AntsDakota]

Auroponera dakotensis

'Dakotan Needle Ants'

 

This is a Ponerinae species.

 

Range:

 

This species is endemic to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This small mountain range (that's taller than the Apalachains) was once an island in the middle of a large sea, and this species was thought to have first came about when this island still existed. It has since spread to other forested areas and suburban areas several hundred miles in any direction.

 

 

Diet:

 

This species breeds the springtail Myrmecophilus dakotensis in their nests. These springtails are large and meaty, providing the colony with all the amino acids necessary for healthy colony growth. The springtails will keep the nest free of mold, and the ants collect bits of leaf litter (preferably the needles of the Black Hills Spruce, one of the most common trees in the Black Hills, and the state tree of South Dakota), which the springtails feed on. Foragers will also collect honeydew from aphids and mealybugs.

 

Colony Structure:

 

Colonies are large, and may grow up to several hundred thousand workers. They are also polygynous and polydymous. Workers are monomorphic. A single colony may consist of several dozen nests, each containing thousands of workers. In territorial disputes, colonies will seize enemy nests, kill the workers, and adopt the queens and brood as their own.

 

Workers:

 

Workers are a bright orange color (In Latin, 'Auro' roughly translates as orange) and are around five millimeters in length. They have excellent eye sight, and are avid foragers. They will often engage in territorial disputes with other colonies. Workers have a painful sting. On average, they live around four to five years.

 

Queens:

 

Queens are glossy black with reddish thoraxes, and are around eight millimeters long. Nuptial flights occur in early to mid May.

 

Ergatoid Queens:

 

This species has actually properly developed ergatoid queens as a separate caste. These can only be produced by queens, as they require a specific gene sequence from queens. They are a millimeter or two longer than workers, yet are still orange. They have reddish thoraxes like queens, and wing scars. Ergatoid queens will mate in the nest, unlike queens, which require nuptial flights. Hundreds of ergatoid queens may be present within a colony. Ergatoid queens can also produce queens.

 

Ergatoid Workers:

 

These are similar to ergatoid queens in almost every way, except they are not nearly as productive as the primary reproductive castes. These do not require genetic sequences from the queen, and can be produced by ergatoid queens and gamergates. They themselves can produce queens.

 

Gamergates:

 

Gamergates are reproductive workers. They usually are designated as a gamergate shortly after eclosing from their pupae, and will develop a reddish thorax like queens. However, they are not any larger than workers, and all proportions are the same. Gamergates are the most unproductive of any reproductive caste, and will only produce one to two dozen offspring in their lives. When a colony is devoid of reproductives, normal workers may become gamergates, although they will not have the distinct reddish thorax. 

Males:

 

Males are no different than males of other species. They are winged and wasp-like, and participate in nuptial flights. They are around five millimeters in length.

 

Wingless Males:

 

These males are wingless, and stay in the nest all their lives. They mate with ergatoid queens, ergatoid workers, and gamergates. They are slightly larger and better built than normal males, and may live for up to three years. These are the closest things ants have to kings, according to many biologists.

Edited by AntsDakota, April 20 2020 - 1:16 PM.

[NickAnter]

Solenopsis submari

 

Range

   This is a subterranean species, that, as the name suggests, lives under lakes. And only under lakes. This species is native to all of Europe, being, surprisingly, most common in Ireland. It is also quite common in the Scottish Highlands, with the center of diversity there being in the Inverness area. In Ireland there is no known center of distribution, but is more common in rural areas.

 

Diet

    These ants are very odd in their diet. While they live exclusively under lakes, they are reliant upon lakeside ants for food, in the form of their brood. Except for the winter. If there are hibernating frogs, then they will eat the parts of the frog that are buried in the mud.  It is therefore suggested that they may have repletes to store all the food gained from the frogs, however, no repletes have been found so far in nest excavations, of which there has only been one. All of these sources of food are protein, and it is suggested that they tend root aphids when possible on roots that grow under lakes. However, in areas where there are no tree nearby, it seems they adapt to an only protein diet.

 

Nuptial Flights

 

None have ever been recorded, and it takes extensive magnification to distinguish them from Solenopsis fugax, except in Ireland, where the aforementioned species is not present, nor any other members of the genus.

 

Identification

 

They are distinguished by a small hook under the thorax, in which it is possible queens have to carry aphids during flights.

 

Size

 

Queen-Unknown, however, likely the same as S. fugax.

 

Worker: 1.5mm, same as S. fugax.

 

Male: Likely the same as S. fugax.

 

Discovery: Was discovered by a Myrmecologist whose name has sadly been asked not to be mentioned. The species was discovered in Ireland raiding a colony of Formica lemani. He collected specimens, thinking it was S. fugax, which would also have been a discovery, until he saw the hook under the thorax. he speculated it might not be endemic to Ireland, and so notified other myrmecologists, who soon found many colonies throughout Europe, all in the same habitat.

[AntsDakota]

Poor frogs..........

[ponerinecat]

Auroponera dakotensis

'Dakotan Needle Ants'

 

This is a Ponerinae species.

 

Range:

 

This species is endemic to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This small mountain range (that's taller than the Apalachains) was once an island in the middle of a large sea, and this species was thought to have first came about when this island still existed. It has since spread to other forested areas and suburban areas several hundred miles in any direction.

 

 

Diet:

 

This species breeds the springtail Myrmecophilus dakotensis in their nests. These springtails are large and meaty, providing the colony with all the amino acids necessary for healthy colony growth. The springtails will keep the nest free of mold, and the ants collect bits of leaf litter (preferably the needles of the Black Hills Spruce, one of the most common trees in the Black Hills, and the state tree of South Dakota), which the springtails feed on. Foragers will also collect honeydew from aphids and mealybugs.

 

Colony Structure:

 

Colonies are large, and may grow up to several hundred thousand workers. They are also polygynous and polydymous. Workers are monomorphic. A single colony may consist of several dozen nests, each containing thousands of workers. In territorial disputes, colonies will seize enemy nests, kill the workers, and adopt the queens and brood as their own.

 

Workers:

 

Workers are a bright orange color (In Latin, 'Auro' roughly translates as orange) and are around five millimeters in length. They have excellent eye sight, and are avid foragers. They will often engage in territorial disputes with other colonies. Workers have a painful sting. On average, they live around four to five years.

 

Queens:

 

Queens are glossy black with reddish thoraxes, and are around eight millimeters long. Nuptial flights occur in early to mid May.

 

Ergatoid Queens:

 

This species has actually properly developed ergatoid queens as a separate caste. These can only be produced by queens, as they require a specific gene sequence from queens. They are a millimeter or two longer than workers, yet are still orange. They have reddish thoraxes like queens, and wing scars. Ergatoid queens will mate in the nest, unlike queens, which require nuptial flights. Hundreds of ergatoid queens may be present within a colony. Ergatoid queens can also produce queens.

 

Ergatoid Workers:

 

These are similar to ergatoid queens in almost every way, except they are not nearly as productive as the primary reproductive castes. These do not require genetic sequences from the queen, and can be produced by ergatoid queens and gamergates. They themselves can produce queens.

 

Gamergates:

 

Gamergates are reproductive workers. They usually are designated as a gamergate shortly after eclosing from their pupae, and will develop a reddish thorax like queens. However, they are not any larger than workers, and all proportions are the same. Gamergates are the most unproductive of any reproductive caste, and will only produce one to two dozen offspring in their lives. When a colony is devoid of reproductives, normal workers may become gamergates, although they will not have the distinct reddish thorax. 

Males:

 

Males are no different than males of other species. They are winged and wasp-like, and participate in nuptial flights. They are around five millimeters in length.

 

Wingless Males:

 

These males are wingless, and stay in the nest all their lives. They mate with ergatoid queens, ergatoid workers, and gamergates. They are slightly larger and better built than normal males, and may live for up to three years. These are the closest things ants have to kings, according to many biologists.

I think Ponera would be a better genus, or make a new genus. Austroponera is called austro for a reason. Australia and NZ folks.

[Manitobant]

Auroponera dakotensis
'Dakotan Needle Ants'
 
This is a Ponerinae species.
 
Range:
 
This species is endemic to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This small mountain range (that's taller than the Apalachains) was once an island in the middle of a large sea, and this species was thought to have first came about when this island still existed. It has since spread to other forested areas and suburban areas several hundred miles in any direction.
 
 
Diet:
 
This species breeds the springtail Myrmecophilus dakotensis in their nests. These springtails are large and meaty, providing the colony with all the amino acids necessary for healthy colony growth. The springtails will keep the nest free of mold, and the ants collect bits of leaf litter (preferably the needles of the Black Hills Spruce, one of the most common trees in the Black Hills, and the state tree of South Dakota), which the springtails feed on. Foragers will also collect honeydew from aphids and mealybugs.
 
Colony Structure:
 
Colonies are large, and may grow up to several hundred thousand workers. They are also polygynous and polydymous. Workers are monomorphic. A single colony may consist of several dozen nests, each containing thousands of workers. In territorial disputes, colonies will seize enemy nests, kill the workers, and adopt the queens and brood as their own.
 
Workers:
 
Workers are a bright orange color (In Latin, 'Auro' roughly translates as orange) and are around five millimeters in length. They have excellent eye sight, and are avid foragers. They will often engage in territorial disputes with other colonies. Workers have a painful sting. On average, they live around four to five years.
 
Queens:
 
Queens are glossy black with reddish thoraxes, and are around eight millimeters long. Nuptial flights occur in early to mid May.
 
Ergatoid Queens:
 
This species has actually properly developed ergatoid queens as a separate caste. These can only be produced by queens, as they require a specific gene sequence from queens. They are a millimeter or two longer than workers, yet are still orange. They have reddish thoraxes like queens, and wing scars. Ergatoid queens will mate in the nest, unlike queens, which require nuptial flights. Hundreds of ergatoid queens may be present within a colony. Ergatoid queens can also produce queens.
 
Ergatoid Workers:
 
These are similar to ergatoid queens in almost every way, except they are not nearly as productive as the primary reproductive castes. These do not require genetic sequences from the queen, and can be produced by ergatoid queens and gamergates. They themselves can produce queens.
 
Gamergates:
 
Gamergates are reproductive workers. They usually are designated as a gamergate shortly after eclosing from their pupae, and will develop a reddish thorax like queens. However, they are not any larger than workers, and all proportions are the same. Gamergates are the most unproductive of any reproductive caste, and will only produce one to two dozen offspring in their lives. When a colony is devoid of reproductives, normal workers may become gamergates, although they will not have the distinct reddish thorax. 
Males:
 
Males are no different than males of other species. They are winged and wasp-like, and participate in nuptial flights. They are around five millimeters in length.
 
Wingless Males:
 
These males are wingless, and stay in the nest all their lives. They mate with ergatoid queens, ergatoid workers, and gamergates. They are slightly larger and better built than normal males, and may live for up to three years. These are the closest things ants have to kings, according to many biologists.

I think Ponera would be a better genus, or make a new genus. Austroponera is called austro for a reason. Australia and NZ folks.

It is a new genus. He said "auroponera" not "austroponera"

[FSTP]

Veromessor galacticus,  this is a bigly harvester ant. It inhabits the vacuum of space. Its immense size allows it to harvest entire plantoids in which it brings back to its black hole of a nest.  Traveling around by means of the giant reflective gaster it uses as a solar sail, a single worker can harvest entire solor systems of thier planets in only a few centuries. 

 

Watch out for this one!

Edited by FSTP, April 20 2020 - 9:56 PM.

[Temperateants]

WHat, are the ants living in a tesseact built by "them" from the 5th dimention? 

[AntsDakota]

These would be the worst invasives yet.

[AntsDakota]

Tapinoma japonicus is an invasive species from Japan, Korea, and China. It's diet mainly consists of Tetramorium tsushimae workers, yet have adapted to prey on T. immigrans and Solenopsis workers as well. These ants are cannibals, and will therefore not only eat themselves, but other Tapinoma species and closely related Linepithima humile.