8 replies to this topic

[Amazant]

I caught ten queens on March 4th, 5 prenolepis imparis and 5 other queens that are the same species that I’m not sure of. They were caught on a lake drifting in the current the wind was creating. I caught them on a dock as they drifted past. It was around 1:30 when I caught the unknown species and around 30 minutes later no more of them were seen on the water and prenolepis imparis started to show up. There were tons of males in the water as well. I also went on a walk and didn’t find any which was strange. Based on some information I have found while researching these ants seem a lot like myrmica because they have spikes on their abdomen and have a similar body shape as well as stingers. They also have many hairs covering their bodies. The only thing that does not match up is the time myrmica usually fly which is around August from what I’ve read.

Some pictures



Thank you

[ponerinecat]

Myrmica sp.

[AntsDakota]

Most North American Myrmica are pretty much impossible to identify without a genetic analysis.

[AntsDakota]

This also means their care is also identical.

[Broncos]

Some sort of myrmica


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Edited by Broncos, March 30 2020 - 7:20 PM.

[CheetoLord02]

how large are they? it's too early for myrmica to be flying, but stenamma fly around this time, and look very similar to myrmica. If they're ~4mm, they're stenamma.

[PurdueEntomology]

Though there is a point regarding the nuptial flight season the over all externally discernible characters would lead me to say a Myrmica species.   My position is based on the petiole widths as seen dorsally which in Stenamma are generally much more slender and not as wide as those in Myrmica.  Pilosity might be important but that may vary in species in either genus. I am also considering the overall cephalic size with regard to the rest of the of body which in gynes of Myrmica appears to be larger than in Stenamma.  If you could get a mm body length measurement that would be good too.  Anyway, may you take good care of her.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Stenamma also have a prominent petiolar "stem" which is lacking in other Myrmicines. I'd definitely say this is Myrmica. The propodeal spines and sculpturing suggest so.

[AntsDakota]

As previously mentioned, a measurement would be helpful.......