8 replies to this topic

[Antliebe]

Hello!

I am new to this forum and happy to say we have caught our first queens!  Yay!  We would love your help in identifying them.  When you reply and hear a loud "yahoo!" coming from the Northwest, know that is my 8 year old daughter bouncing off the walls with excitement. 

Thank you in advance!

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Ant #1

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Umitilla, Oregon
2. Date of collection: June 2, 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Found her in a pond
4. Length (from head to gaster): 3/8"
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black with red legs, red antanna, black gaster
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Shed all her wings except for one
7. Distinguishing behavior: Do not know
8. Nest description: Has not laid yet

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Guessing it was the morning of June 2nd

 

Ant #2

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Umitilla, Oregon
2. Date of collection: June 2, 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Found her in a pond
4. Length (from head to gaster): 3/8"
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Head and gaster are black, thorax is red, legs and antanna are shiny red
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Do not know
7. Distinguishing behavior: Do not know
8. Nest description: Has not laid yet

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Guessing it was the morning of June 2nd

 

Ant #3

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Portland, Oregon
2. Date of collection: June 4, 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Found her in a kiddie pool we set up to try and catch queens
4. Length (from head to gaster): 3/16"
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black body, yellow triangle pattern on face, shiny black legs
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Small
7. Distinguishing behavior: Do not know
8. Nest description: Has not laid yet

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Guessing it was around noon on June 4th

 

 

[AntsDakota]

#1 looks like Camponotus
#2 is Formica, looks like a social parasite; could also be F. pacifica, not a parasite
#3 is a wasp

Edited by AntsDakota, June 6 2020 - 10:19 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

#1 looks like Camponotus
#2 is Formica, looks like a social parasite; could also be F. pacifica, not a parasite
#3 is a wasp

I second this.

[Antliebe]

Thank you so much for the responses. 

I do not know anything about social parasites.  Is this mean that it isn't a queen?  Should I release it then?  Sorry for the newbie questions.

Bummer the third one is a wasp!  Guess we will be releasing them today. 

[AnthonyP163]

#1 appears to be a Formica sp., If it is Camponotus, the head, mandibles, and size are strange. 

#2 also appears to be Formica, perhaps pacifica like previously mentioned?

#3 wasp

[Antennal_Scrobe]

If it's a social parasite, you should release it. They can be cared for, but you will need to find the correct host ant and carefully introduce workers and brood, a process which may fail even if you do it right. I think that queen is probably Fromica pacifica and not a social parasite, so you should be fine.

[NickAnter]

Queen 1) Looks to me like a neogagates group Formica, but I'm not sure. Looks a bit like F. neorufibarbis.

Queen 2) Doesnt look like pacifica to me, and I'm not sure what it is.

3) Bee of some sorts.

Edited by NickAnter, June 6 2020 - 10:34 AM.

[Antliebe]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

[ANTdrew]

3) could be a Hylaeus bee, but I can’t see the yellow mentioned by the OP.