9 replies to this topic

[ponerinecat]

I found these workers in a psuedomyrmex apache colony

tops is an apache worker, bottom is an unknown worker. possible parasite/symbiont, found in a live manzanita branch, no aggression from the apache, shingle springs, CA, 4mm, black first leg segments, black on abdomen larger.

[ponerinecat]

help would be appreciated

not a nanitic either, colony too big, and not a deformity, found three of them

[DDD101DDD]

I'm not sure if this matters, but the one on the bottom has 5 legs.

[Manitobant]

I think that's just a smaller Apache worker (I believe they are slightly polymorphic) but I may be wrong

Edited by Manitobant, October 25 2019 - 5:43 PM.

[ponerinecat]

I dunno, they could be. there is some slight variation in size among the colony. These ants are a whole millimeter smaller though.

[AnthonyP163]

Perhaps this is Pseudomyrmex seminole or related? I'm not too familiar with the ants in the southwest (especially Pseudomyrmex) but if this is not just polymorphism and their range is understudied maybe it's a possibility.

[Serafine]

Note that even ants that are monomorphic often do have workers of different size.

Polymorphism has nothing to do with size but with proportions.

Even Lasius niger workers (which are as monomorphic as it can get) range from less than 3mm to around 5mm.

 

Not saying that it can't be a parasite but keep in mind that ants from a single colony can in fact differ in size and also coloration.

Edited by Serafine, October 26 2019 - 1:06 AM.

[gcsnelling]

Pretty sure this is just a small worker apache, I have seen some variation in size within a colony before and this falls within range of what I have seen.

[ponerinecat]

ok, thanks. Ill keep watching them

[ANTdrew]

Those are some wild looking ants in any case! Good find.