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ID requested - new queen


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17 replies to this topic

#1 Offline BroJack - Posted June 5 2020 - 4:58 PM

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I found this queen in the High Sierra south of Yosemite at about 7000 feet of elevation. I currently have her in a test tube set up and tried a bit of watered down maple syrup with her but she didn't show interest. Can someone please help me with two things: 1) ID to at least genus level, 2) Fully claustral or not? The scale below are in millimeters. She is about 10mm.

Thanks ahead of time for any help or information!

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  • Unknown-10mm.jpeg
  • Unknown.jpeg


#2 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:01 PM

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Looks like an Aphaenogaster occidentalis queen. Yep, fully claustral, polygynous, and from what I gather, a wonderful species to keep. Thanks for the clear photos and measurements—good luck!

#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:02 PM

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Probably a Manica bradleyi queen.


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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). 


#4 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:03 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.


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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). 


#5 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:05 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.

Then I guess this will be the first document.

Looks like an Aphaenogaster occidentalis queen. Yep, fully claustral, polygynous, and from what I gather, a wonderful species to keep. Thanks for the clear photos and measurements—good luck!

I don’t think all populations everywhere are polygynous, though.

"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


#6 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:06 PM

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Aphaenogaster are much more compact, and are smaller too.


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). 


#7 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:13 PM

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Aphaenogaster occidentalis might be off, now that I think about it. Mesosoma looks too sculpted, head is not small enough. That said—it doesn’t look elongated or slender enough to be Manica, more angles would really help, if possible.

edit: Apparently M. bradleyi is bulkier than most Manica. Could be right. If so, boy am I jealous.

Edited by VoidElecent, June 5 2020 - 5:16 PM.

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#8 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:19 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.

Is Pogonomyrmex out of the question? It doesn't look like M. bradleyi have been recorded in Arizona.



#9 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:21 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.

Is Pogonomyrmex out of the question? It doesn't look like M. bradleyi have been recorded in Arizona.

The High Sierras are in California.

#10 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:22 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.

Is Pogonomyrmex out of the question? It doesn't look like M. bradleyi have been recorded in Arizona.

The High Sierras are in California.

 

He lives in Tucson... But okay I retract my ID.


Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 5 2020 - 5:23 PM.


#11 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:25 PM

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It does not look at all like Aphaenogaster to me. Also, I do not think it is known if Manica bradleyi is claustral or semi-claustral.

Is Pogonomyrmex out of the question? It doesn't look like M. bradleyi have been recorded in Arizona.
The High Sierras are in California.
He lives in Tucson... But okay I retract my ID.
You raise a good point, if this is in Arizona, it’s a different story. But if it is indeed in Yosemite, it could only be one of several species.
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#12 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:30 PM

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Consider Veromessor andrei
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#13 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 5 2020 - 7:33 PM

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Yeah, I would guess V. andrei.


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#14 Offline BroJack - Posted June 5 2020 - 7:50 PM

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I am indeed currently in California. I will try to get some more pictures from different angles. I found her in wood chips right next to a lake. Any advice would be helpful and welcome. I have only been doing this a couple of years and have only been successful with Camponotus (only queens I can easily spot with my eyes but I am getting better I think).



#15 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 5 2020 - 8:04 PM

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sLhPHu3.jpg  I think it looks pretty similar to this.


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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). 


#16 Offline VoidElecent - Posted June 5 2020 - 8:22 PM

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sLhPHu3.jpg  I think it looks pretty similar to this.

 

They look similar, but I feel like this queen's waist (petiole + post-petiole section) is much slimmer than the one in question. There is also a layer of faint bicoloration that is unique to M. bradleyi and I can't exactly make out on this one. Could be the lighting—we'll have a better idea if/when BroJack gets a chance to upload more pictures.

 

In the meantime, I admit it is unusual to be finding seed-harvesters at 7000' elevation, but I'm sticking with Veromessor andrei.

 

Side note: I don't know if you are planning on doing so, but it is typically frowned upon to transport ants between state lines. In fact, it is a little bit illegal.



#17 Offline Manitobant - Posted June 5 2020 - 8:50 PM

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Looks like pogonomyrmex to me. The head definitely screams Pogonomyrmex.

Edited by Manitobant, June 5 2020 - 9:01 PM.


#18 Offline gcsnelling - Posted June 6 2020 - 3:35 AM

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Not Pogonomyrmex in that location. I too am leaning towards this being Manica bradleyi, I can ust make a hint of this ant being bicolored. That said a clearer picture would certainly help.


Edited by gcsnelling, June 6 2020 - 3:40 AM.

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