116 replies to this topic

[Nare]

From what I understand, identifying the exact species of that Formica may require macro shots to count hairs (For example the key I'm working with identifies subaenescens as having "Fewer than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite" and subsericea complex as having "Many more than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite"). You'd need good lighting (ie. natural light from outside) and most importantly no glass in the way. If you really want good photos I'd recommend sacrificing a worker in rubbing alcohol, and then setting it up for pictures (or you could use a nanitic when they pass away naturally). I personally wouldn't bother though. They're fusca group, which means we know all the important information about their care that we need to know. I've got 2 fusca group queens lying around that I can't be bothered to identify, really doesn't cause any problems, and doesn't bother me much despite the fact that unidentified species usually irk me. I figure for the fusca group, group level is close enough.

[Ants_Dakota]

From what I understand, identifying the exact species of that Formica may require macro shots to count hairs (For example the key I'm working with identifies subaenescens as having "Fewer than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite" and subsericea complex as having "Many more than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite"). You'd need good lighting (ie. natural light from outside) and most importantly no glass in the way. If you really want good photos I'd recommend sacrificing a worker in rubbing alcohol, and then setting it up for pictures (or you could use a nanitic when they pass away naturally). I personally wouldn't bother though. They're fusca group, which means we know all the important information about their care that we need to know. I've got 2 fusca group queens lying around that I can't be bothered to identify, really doesn't cause any problems, and doesn't bother me much despite the fact that unidentified species usually irk me. I figure for the fusca group, group level is close enough.

Ok, Thanks! I want to eventually have as many species of formica as i can, so i might look in to identifying these someday.

[Ants_Dakota]

My aphaenogaster colonies are doing good. They enjoyed half a mealworm and some sunflower seed. 

From what I understand, identifying the exact species of that Formica may require macro shots to count hairs (For example the key I'm working with identifies subaenescens as having "Fewer than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite" and subsericea complex as having "Many more than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite"). You'd need good lighting (ie. natural light from outside) and most importantly no glass in the way. If you really want good photos I'd recommend sacrificing a worker in rubbing alcohol, and then setting it up for pictures (or you could use a nanitic when they pass away naturally). I personally wouldn't bother though. They're fusca group, which means we know all the important information about their care that we need to know. I've got 2 fusca group queens lying around that I can't be bothered to identify, really doesn't cause any problems, and doesn't bother me much despite the fact that unidentified species usually irk me. I figure for the fusca group, group level is close enough.

is there any camera or microscope that you would recommend using to photograph and identify ants?

[Nare]

My aphaenogaster colonies are doing good. They enjoyed half a mealworm and some sunflower seed. 

From what I understand, identifying the exact species of that Formica may require macro shots to count hairs (For example the key I'm working with identifies subaenescens as having "Fewer than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite" and subsericea complex as having "Many more than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite"). You'd need good lighting (ie. natural light from outside) and most importantly no glass in the way. If you really want good photos I'd recommend sacrificing a worker in rubbing alcohol, and then setting it up for pictures (or you could use a nanitic when they pass away naturally). I personally wouldn't bother though. They're fusca group, which means we know all the important information about their care that we need to know. I've got 2 fusca group queens lying around that I can't be bothered to identify, really doesn't cause any problems, and doesn't bother me much despite the fact that unidentified species usually irk me. I figure for the fusca group, group level is close enough.

is there any camera or microscope that you would recommend using to photograph and identify ants?

https://www.amazon.c...2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

I bought this one, pretty good value. Not great with moving subjects, however, so again, I'd recommend finding a dead worker or sacrificing one. Also tends to create a lot of glare when looking through a test tube, so I'd recommend photographing some of the specimens out in the open. You can see some of the pics I took with this thing in my termite journal, when I first got alates. I haven't really used it on my ants because they tend to move too fast.

 

Alternatively, any sort of clip-on macro lens could work, those are usually around 10 or 15 CAD, and work with most phones. You can get some nice shots with them with a little light, luck, and cooperative subjects.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

My aphaenogaster colonies are doing good. They enjoyed half a mealworm and some sunflower seed. 

From what I understand, identifying the exact species of that Formica may require macro shots to count hairs (For example the key I'm working with identifies subaenescens as having "Fewer than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite" and subsericea complex as having "Many more than 10 erect hairs on the first gastral tergite"). You'd need good lighting (ie. natural light from outside) and most importantly no glass in the way. If you really want good photos I'd recommend sacrificing a worker in rubbing alcohol, and then setting it up for pictures (or you could use a nanitic when they pass away naturally). I personally wouldn't bother though. They're fusca group, which means we know all the important information about their care that we need to know. I've got 2 fusca group queens lying around that I can't be bothered to identify, really doesn't cause any problems, and doesn't bother me much despite the fact that unidentified species usually irk me. I figure for the fusca group, group level is close enough.

is there any camera or microscope that you would recommend using to photograph and identify ants?

https://www.amazon.c...2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

I bought this one, pretty good value. Not great with moving subjects, however, so again, I'd recommend finding a dead worker or sacrificing one. Also tends to create a lot of glare when looking through a test tube, so I'd recommend photographing some of the specimens out in the open. You can see some of the pics I took with this thing in my termite journal, when I first got alates. I haven't really used it on my ants because they tend to move too fast.

 

Alternatively, any sort of clip-on macro lens could work, those are usually around 10 or 15 CAD, and work with most phones. You can get some nice shots with them with a little light, luck, and cooperative subjects.

 

Thanks! I will definitely look into this! I really like the price as well!

[Ants_Dakota]

May 14th, 2020, Update #4

 

Aphaenogaster Tennesseensis

No new news. They like hiding though.

 

Aphaenogaster Rudis

Both colonies are the same. They both don't have a queen, so i am going to wait until i can catch a rudis or Tennesseensis queen to see if they except. Is that a good idea?

 

Formica Montana

Not much new with these gals. They have 2 pupa that are like going to hatch any second, and no new eggs, sadly. only 4 ants as well.

 

Formica Subsericea

They are doing great! Maybe 10 eggs! They are so fast that i could not get a good pic of them!

 

Hypoponera Opacior

I do not have the resources to care for this species right now, so it is for sale for $10. It has 2 queens and 10-15 workers.

 

Lasius Brevicornis

They have a clump of eggs now! They have been sold/traded to AntsDakota and Ants4fun, though.

 

Myrmica Latifrons/Lobifrons/Schencki

They are just waiting not so patiently for the materials to arrive for their nest.

 

Prenolepis Imparis

They have a clump of eggs! Only one worker is remaining, but that is fine.

 

And I think that is the end of my massive post!

[AntsDakota]

Keep in mind that species names should not be capitalized, though.

[Ants_Dakota]

ok

[Ants_Dakota]

New update from here in the black hills! On mobile unfortunately😕 I was caught in the camponotus modoc flight, and am bringing back 10 queens of that species. I also have 3 novaeboracensis queens, and 2 vicinus queens, which are going to AntsDakota.(I conformed they were vicinus from photos) I am also bringing back a parasitic formica queen, which I might keep or sell to AntsDakota. I am also bringing back a formica subsercia (Sorry for spelling) colony for antlaura, and other colonies for other people who I am getting into ants (4 in total) I will hopefully get them onto formiculture. However, I am starting to agree with ANTdrew on his not digging up colonies, and so I will try to refrain from doing that in the future. AntsDakota is also getting a tapinoma colony.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, June 5 2020 - 7:23 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

June 9th, 2020, Update #5

You will quickly realize me and AntsDakota did some major deals over the week.

 

Aphaenogaster Picea

Got this colony from AntsDakota. I can't wait until they get big enough to put into a formicarium!

 

Aphaenogaster Rudis

This Previously unqueened colony now has a queen! I got one from AntsDakota! They excepted perfectly! I only got one bad pic though

 

Aphaenogaster Tennesseensis

This colony had eggs and small larvae showing up randomly. Hopefully i missed the queen when I got it. Only time will tell...

 

Camponotus Modoc

Got 6 of these when i was in the Black Hills. All of them have a lot of eggs. If anyone in South Dakota is interested in it, I am willing to sell or trade 1 of them.

 

Camponotus Novaeboracensis

I have 2 of these right now. Got them in the black hills as well.

 

Formica Montana

They finally have eggs!

 

Formica Sp.

New species I got from AntsDakota. I need help at least getting a good guess to the species.

 

Lasius Americanus

This colony i got from AntsDakota, and is quickly becoming my favorite. He made an awesome formicarium for it.

 

Myrmica Latifrons/Lobifrons/Schencki

Doing good in their formicarium I made them. This formicarium is just an experiment. A better one is soon coming out!

(No pics as of now. Will be updated in the future)

 

Myrmica Sp.

New species I now have. This is for sale

(No pics as of now. Will be updated in the future)

 

Sadly, the prenolepis died of unknown reasons.

[AntsDakota]

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

[Kaelwizard]

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

[AntsDakota]

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

I’ve yet to observe a Formica sp. that wasn’t polygynous.

Edited by AntsDakota, June 10 2020 - 5:22 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

Not always. A lot of the parasitic species are, as are species in the neogagates-group
and some (like the species in question) in the fusca-group.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 10 2020 - 9:22 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Are subsericea and argentea polygonous?

 

The reason I ask this is because the only Formica alates I have found are one of those 2 species.

Edited by Kaelwizard, June 10 2020 - 3:43 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Are subsericea and argentea polygonous?
 
The reason I ask this is because the only Formica alates I have found are one of those 2 species.

Yes, and no. Formica subsericea is polygynous, while F. argentea is not to my knowledge. But, the two are nearly inseparable to the naked eye, and require some high magnification to distinguish the two. If you want I can link you to a good Formica key.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

 

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

Not always. A lot of the parasitic species are, as are species in the neogagates-group
and some (like the species in question) in the fusca-group.

 

My first guess to the species was an ant from the neogagates group because of the small size and the shininess. It could just be a guess though...

[AntsDakota]

 

 

 

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

Not always. A lot of the parasitic species are, as are species in the neogagates-group
and some (like the species in question) in the fusca-group.

 

My first guess to the species was an ant from the neogagates group because of the small size and the shininess. It could just be a guess though...

 

Most Formica are shiny. Color is worthless most of the time.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

 

 

 

You forgot to mention the new Formica have 7 queens.

Are Formica often polygonous? And if so what species?

Not always. A lot of the parasitic species are, as are species in the neogagates-group
and some (like the species in question) in the fusca-group.

 

My first guess to the species was an ant from the neogagates group because of the small size and the shininess. It could just be a guess though...

 

Most Formica are shiny. Color is worthless most of the time.

 

However, these have a pure shine all over them, whereas other formica have a silvery shine in stripes on them.

[AntsDakota]

Still not reliable. You'd need to look at the hairs on their gasters, antennae, and heads, and perhaps the petiole (not sure if that's relevant in Formica, but important with many other genera), as well as counting antennal segments, measuring mouthparts, eyes, areas of the face, etc.