16 replies to this topic

[ADHTCIAD]

Kids and the wife and I found these guys in the front lawn. If one is a queen I'll keep them but I'm not too sure, my eyes suck lol.

 

The first pic (with the grass blade) seems to me like there is two and the second pic is a third one. All quite larger but again I'm no professional lol and my eyes suck!

 

 

 

[Broncos]

Yea there is a queen. Formica sp.

[ADHTCIAD]

Yea there is a queen. Formica sp.

 

Are they polygynous do you know? I would assume so considering I found them all near the same nest.... but I don't want to keep the queens together if they are going to kill each other lol

[AntsDakota]

Many Formica are polygynous. However, these two queens look like different species to me, meaning they might fight (if they are different species).

Edited by AntsDakota, May 6 2020 - 3:31 PM.

[ADHTCIAD]

Many Formica are polygynous. However, these two queens look like different species to me, meaning they might fight (if they are different species).

All the ones from the first pic with the grass blade are in a test tube setup now, ones from second pic are in something temporary for the moment. The few workers I got in with her in the tube seem fine, no fighting. I kinda want to introduce more of the workers I captured but now I'm nervous if they are two different species Would just afew workers be enough for her? I know they don't rly do much after the first batch of eggs and need help.

[AntsDakota]

Many Formica are polygynous. However, these two queens look like different species to me, meaning they might fight (if they are different species).

All the ones from the first pic with the grass blade are in a test tube setup now, ones from second pic are in something temporary for the moment. The few workers I got in with her in the tube seem fine, no fighting. I kinda want to introduce more of the workers I captured but now I'm nervous if they are two different species Would just afew workers be enough for her? I know they don't rly do much after the first batch of eggs and need help.

If they’re from the same colony, they should be the same species, making it completely safe to combine them.

[ADHTCIAD]

 

 

Many Formica are polygynous. However, these two queens look like different species to me, meaning they might fight (if they are different species).

All the ones from the first pic with the grass blade are in a test tube setup now, ones from second pic are in something temporary for the moment. The few workers I got in with her in the tube seem fine, no fighting. I kinda want to introduce more of the workers I captured but now I'm nervous if they are two different species Would just afew workers be enough for her? I know they don't rly do much after the first batch of eggs and need help.

If they’re from the same colony, they should be the same species, making it completely safe to combine them.

 

Yea I'm certain they must be, they all were collected from the same square foot of my yard. Maybe two inches deep.

[CheetoLord02]

looks like probably Formica subsericia, but Formica can be hard to ID to an exact species sometimes. Still, I'd call them F. subsericia

[jushi]

That looks like Formica to me! Where do you live and what is the most common type of formica there? Lots of formica are polygynous and lots are parasitic. I'd compare this image to formica queens that you know live in your area and see which one looks the most similar. 

[jushi]

That looks like Formica to me! Where do you live and what is the most common type of formica there? Lots of formica are polygynous and lots are parasitic. I'd compare this image to formica queens that you know live in your area and see which one looks the most similar. 

[ADHTCIAD]

I'm in central Canada, close to the US border. I think  CheetoLord02 is right they are Formica subsericia. I put them all together in a formicarium and a quickly made bin outworld. They're enjoying it. No fighting or nothing. Been hauling substrate into their nest all day building something. Haven't peeked yet!

[PurdueEntomology]

I'm in central Canada, close to the US border. I think  CheetoLord02 is right they are Formica subsericia. I put them all together in a formicarium and a quickly made bin outworld. They're enjoying it. No fighting or nothing. Been hauling substrate into their nest all day building something. Haven't peeked yet!

building something...an escape mound, they are notorious for this behavior.  One of the interesting and unusual facets of this species is the ability for workers to "know" they are captured and though how this is done has eluded researchers, they then proceed to "plan" and escape.  Be careful with them.

[AntsDakota]

Haha, AC never considered that one.

[Manitobant]

If they need more workers you can easily brood boost them with pupae from wild colonies. However pupae don't show up until late june.

Edited by Manitobant, May 7 2020 - 4:35 PM.

[ADHTCIAD]

Hahaha. Yea I used olive oil until my PTFE arrives. One tried covering the oil a bit lastnight in the corners, but besides one or two (knock on wood) none of them have been too interested in climbing... Yet. And there is a tight fitting lid with some screen over the top.

[ADHTCIAD]

If they need more workers you can easily brood boost them with pupae from wild colonies. However pupae don't show up until late june.

Yea I never saw any brood in the nest at all when I was looking, but three queens. I ended up rounding up more workers in there. Maybe 30 or so.

[TennesseeAnts]

I'm in central Canada, close to the US border. I think  CheetoLord02 is right they are Formica subsericia. I put them all together in a formicarium and a quickly made bin outworld. They're enjoying it. No fighting or nothing. Been hauling substrate into their nest all day building something. Haven't peeked yet!

building something...an escape mound, they are notorious for this behavior.  One of the interesting and unusual facets of this species is the ability for workers to "know" they are captured and though how this is done has eluded researchers, they then proceed to "plan" and escape.  Be careful with them.

I have definitely experienced this in my years of keeping Formica.