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What kind of ant is this? And is it a queen?

Started By Cblake113 , Mar 10 2020 5:30 AM

Best Answer rbarreto , March 11 2020 - 11:30 AM

This is a Lasius claviger queen Go to the full post


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#1 Offline Cblake113 - Posted March 10 2020 - 5:30 AM

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I found her in Hampton Virginia. Under a rock in dark colored dirt. She was by herself. Please help with an ID. Thank you!

1. Location (on a map) of collection: No map, but found in a city park in Hampton Virginia.
2. Date of collection: 3/10/2020

3. Habitat of collection: In a wooded section next to a building, Under a rock.

4. Length (from head to gaster):about 1/4 inch

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark reddish brown.

6. Distinguishing characteristics: 3 segments on abdomen. Also looks like possible chewed off wing area on the thorax?

7. Distinguishing behavior: none that I would know.

8. Nest description: by her self under a rock. Looks like she tunneled directly under it, with no tunnel going down into the soil.

9. Nuptial flight time and date: I have no clue.


Here is a picture of her. If you need more please let me know.



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Attached Images

  • received_304252167213802.jpeg

Edited by Cblake113, March 10 2020 - 8:38 AM.

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#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 10 2020 - 5:37 AM

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Nice job, looks a bit like a parasitic Lasius to me.

Edited by NickAnter, March 11 2020 - 5:48 AM.

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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#3 Offline Thunder_Birds - Posted March 10 2020 - 5:38 AM

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Yeah, that's probably a queen. Do you have any pictures? That would help identifying it.  


#Ants4Life

#4 Offline Cblake113 - Posted March 10 2020 - 5:45 AM

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Sorry I was working on getting pics into photobucket. First time posting. Just trying to figure it all out. Thanks

#5 Offline Thunder_Birds - Posted March 10 2020 - 5:47 AM

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Oh yeah, that's totally fine! Let me know if you need any help getting pictures up here.


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#Ants4Life

#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:00 AM

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That is a parasitic Lasius queen.


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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline Cblake113 - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:24 AM

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Thank you!!! I will now be doing a lot of research!

#8 Offline Manitobant - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:26 AM

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Here is a guide on founding these queens: https://www.formicul...cial-parasites/
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#9 Offline Thunder_Birds - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:28 AM

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Congrats! You found a queen :)  B)


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#Ants4Life

#10 Offline Martialis - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:50 AM

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Lasius aphidicola is what I'm thinking. It was formerly classified as Lasius umbratus, so there's a lot of information regarding it under that taxon on the forum. There's always uncertainty without better pictures, but parasitic Lasius tend to be fairly distinctive.

 

Lasius (Chthonolasius) sp. is as far as I'm willing to go. A few hard to distinguish species in that group exist in Virginia, but their care tends to be fairly similar.

 

Here's a link to a good guide on their founding:

https://www.formicul...cial-parasites/


Edited by Martialis, March 10 2020 - 10:28 AM.

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Spoiler

#11 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 10 2020 - 10:11 AM

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Not to be a downer, but this may not be the best queen to start with if you are just getting into ant keeping.


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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#12 Offline ForestDragon - Posted March 10 2020 - 11:22 AM

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i agree with drew this species is really hard to raise i personally would release her and wait for a more "user friendly" species


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#13 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 10 2020 - 12:43 PM

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Unfortunately, Prenolepis, which fly next, isn’t really a beginner species, so you should look for
Camponotus in May-July.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#14 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 10 2020 - 2:50 PM

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some fly in April...


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#15 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 10 2020 - 2:57 PM

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I think it may depend on the climate, too.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#16 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 10 2020 - 3:00 PM

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yeah, but I have Camponotus here fly in April typically (maybe earlier this year), but they fly pretty earlier in the season. Look for them around noon, and good luck (y)


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There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#17 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 10 2020 - 3:21 PM

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Just a question, how do y'all know if she is parasitic or not. I knew she was a lasius when i saw the pic, but parasitic...


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#18 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 10 2020 - 3:26 PM

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larger head, more geometric and narrower gaster, and the thinner connection from thorax to gaster


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There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#19 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 10 2020 - 3:42 PM

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oh yeah, and peitoles


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There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#20 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 10 2020 - 4:26 PM

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Hampton is way south of me, so Camponotus will definitely fly in April.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.
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