33 replies to this topic

[Vern530]

https://www.formicul...22-ant-id-help/Found these workers and two queens under a stone at work in diapause(found in norhtern california in the valley floor).the head on the queens looked much bigger than the argentine queens I just caught.any one have any idea what they could be?

 

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: gridely , ca 95948
2. Date of collection: 1/15/2020
3. Habitat of collection: under a rock in moist soil nest was less than 12 inches deep
4. Length (from head to gaster):very small(pictures give a referance)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: darker head and gaster reddish midsections
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: 

9. Nuptial flight time and date:

Edited by Vern530, January 15 2020 - 3:33 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Looks like Myrmica.

[Vern530]

are they polygenous?colony had two queens for sure and was well past founding

[TheMicroPlanet]

I think some are, but not all. I guess it depends on the species.  Any pictures of the queens?

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, January 15 2020 - 3:24 PM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I did some more research and i think those actually might be Manica. Do you know their size in mm?

 

EDIT: Upon closer inspection, yes, those are deffinitely Manica. Looking into the species now...

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, January 15 2020 - 3:27 PM.

[Vern530]

i will post some when i get home just stumbled upon them at work

[Vern530]

thanks micro planet.ill for sure post more info and pics when i get home thanks again for giving me somewhere to start

[TheMicroPlanet]

Alright, looks like Manica bradleyi. However, i'd wait for a second opinion on this before I came to any conclusions...

[Vern530]

looks like 

Manica bradleyi according to what i see on ant web but still not sure

[Vern530]

[TheMicroPlanet]

 

looks like 

Manica bradleyi according to what i see on ant web but still not sure

 

Coloration and anatomy seem to match up... any guess as to how many mm long it was?

 

Did they look anything like this?

https://www.youtube....h?v=3FTsiHud9m4

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, January 15 2020 - 3:45 PM.

[Vern530]

if i had to guess id say 5 mm queen slighter bigger

[Vern530]

after looking closer there all black pretty much.I'm  gonna post some closer pics of a worker right now

[Vern530]

added a few more

[TheMicroPlanet]

Hmmm... might not be Manica after all. Maybe Tetramorium?

[Vern530]

i dint believe so i have some of those at home and the queens head was much bigger and her mid section had reddish tint.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Did you notice any spines on the propodeum? If there are any, than it's probably some sort of Myrmica.

[Vern530]

maybe but hard to tell with my crappy ipone cam

[ponerinecat]

Myrmica sp.

[Manitobant]

Maybe pheidole?