14 replies to this topic

[PlumpPotato1234]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Houston, Texas
2. Date of collection: April 26, 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Suburbs 
4. Length (from head to gaster): 8 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Reddish
6. Distinguishing characteristics: None
7. Distinguishing behavior: Walks slowly and likes to hide under things.
8. Nest description: None

9. Nuptial flight time and date: April 26, 2020 at around 3 pm

 

Here is a picture

https://photos.app.g...BvZnQaVnDLYZzG7

Edited by PlumpPotato1234, April 29 2020 - 2:11 PM.

[NickAnter]

The horribly invasive Solenopsis invicta. At least, I'm pretty sure anyway.

[Manitobant]

Solenopsis invicta. They are fast growing and a good beginner species if you can handle the stings. They are very hard to accidentally kill.

[TennesseeAnts]

Solenopsis invicta. They are fast growing and a good beginner species if you can handle the stings. They are very hard to accidentally kill.

Solenopsis invicta is a terrible beginner species. Colonies can reach 10,000 workers within the first year, escape easily, chew through just about anything, and have a painful sting.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 29 2020 - 3:52 PM.

[Manitobant]

Solenopsis invicta. They are fast growing and a good beginner species if you can handle the stings. They are very hard to accidentally kill.

Solenopsis invicta is a terrible beginner species. Colonies can reach 10,000 workers within the first year, escape easily, chew through just about anything, and have a painful sting.

I meant they're a very easy species to keep alive and aren't sensitive in the slightest. All the things that make them "hard" come from their behavior.

[AntsExodus]

Just no

[TennesseeAnts]

Solenopsis invicta. They are fast growing and a good beginner species if you can handle the stings. They are very hard to accidentally kill.

Solenopsis invicta is a terrible beginner species. Colonies can reach 10,000 workers within the first year, escape easily, chew through just about anything, and have a painful sting.

I meant they're a very easy species to keep alive and aren't sensitive in the slightest. All the things that make them "hard" come from their behavior.

I'd assume that in order to be classified as a "beginner" species they would have to be very easy to contain, large and with a moderate growth speed, as we see with Camponotus and some Formica.

[AntsDakota]

Solenopsis invicta. They are fast growing and a good beginner species if you can handle the stings. They are very hard to accidentally kill.

Solenopsis invicta is a terrible beginner species. Colonies can reach 10,000 workers within the first year, escape easily, chew through just about anything, and have a painful sting.

I meant they're a very easy species to keep alive and aren't sensitive in the slightest. All the things that make them "hard" come from their behavior.

I'd assume that in order to be classified as a "beginner" species they would have to be very easy to contain, large and with a moderate growth speed, as we see with Camponotus and some Formica.

And S. invicta are very hard to contain, not large and with an uncontrollable growth speed.

[Martialis]

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

[TennesseeAnts]

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

Considering this queen was found in Houston, and its obviously Solenopsis, the only other possibility would be Solenopsis richteri. But the queen is far too lightly colored to be S. richteri.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 30 2020 - 7:53 AM.

[AntsDakota]

 

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

Considering this queen was found in Houston, and its obviously Solenopsis, the only other possibility would be Solenopsis richteri. But the queen is far too lightly colored to be S. richteri.

 

 

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

Also, isn't S. invicta much more common than richteri? So, based on the coloration, location, and probability, the queen is most likely invicta.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

Considering this queen was found in Houston, and its obviously Solenopsis, the only other possibility would be Solenopsis richteri. But the queen is far too lightly colored to be S. richteri.

 

 

How on Earth did you determine species frmomt hose pictures?!  You can hardly tell it's Solenopsis from them!

Also, isn't S. invicta much more common than richteri? So, based on the coloration, location, and probability, the queen is most likely invicta.

 

Solenopsis richteri isn't too common in Texas. They seem to be more common Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, unfortunately. 

[PlumpPotato1234]

Update: She just got done laying a batch of eggs.

[TennesseeAnts]

Update: She just got done laying a batch of eggs.

Those nanitics should arrive by mid May.

[ANTdrew]

Prepare yo’ self.