10 replies to this topic

[Pulliamj]

1. Location of collection: Texas
2. Date of collection: 4/21/15
3. Habitat of collection: sandy/wooded
4. Length (from head to gaster): 9mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Mostly black
6. Distinguishing characteristics:
7. Anything else distinctive:
8. Nest description: unknown

Edited by dspdrew, April 21 2015 - 8:42 PM.
Fixed video link

[dermy]

Ponerinae? I don't know much about ants from there, but either way that thing looks cool!

Edited by dermy, April 21 2015 - 4:29 PM.

[Pulliamj]

I guess it's not a queen right? That would be very lucky. I thought it was a wasp or something.

[kellakk]

Maybe Leptogenys elongata?  I'm just guessing based on AntWeb.

[NorthEdge]

I agree with kellakk, looks like Leptogenys elongata. 

 

http://www.antwiki.o...ogenys_elongata

http://bugguide.net/.../396475/bgimage

[Pulliamj]

Cave ant? I don't have any caves near me lol. Did I mis-read that? Either way it's a very cool looking ant if it is an ant.

[dermy]

It is for sure an ant. I'm not sure if it's a queen though.

[Pulliamj]

The Leptogenys genus page has more details about the general biology of ants in this genus, some of which is summarized in what follows. New World species have relatively small ranges, generally occur in humid forests and prey on isopods. Colonies may occur in high densities on a local scale, with up to 5 or 6 species present. Nest size tends to be small with just 20 or 30 individuals in a mature colony. Nests of most species may be found in rotten wood on the ground, usually within cavities in logs or large branches, and also beneath bark. Wood-soil and rock-soil interfaces are another common nesting location, as well as rock crevices, and a few species may nest directly in the soil. Reproduction is most commonly via ergatoid females and, in many species, may include egg-laying workers.

So should I keep it and hope for the best? What do I feed this thing?

[cpman]

That is definately L. elogata. I find these all the time in the spring and fall living under rocks. The body shape, mandible shape, and dark reddish coloration match. The size of their nests is around 100 or so. They are VERY FAST when you disturb their nest. This species has ergatoid queens that are quite similar to the workers. This is just a worker that you found, however.
Their diet is primarily terrestrial isopods (aka pillbugs). You can usually see lots of shells of Armadillium sp. around their nest entrances.

As far as I know, new queens mate just outside the nest entrance, and leave with a few workers. This is the wrong time for mating though. I've only seen males near midnight in the summer.

Edited by cpman, April 21 2015 - 6:19 PM.

[Pulliamj]

Thanks, well if I could catch a queen or colony I have tons of pill bugs everywhere.

[Jonathan21700]

Really nice!

Edited by Jonathan21700, April 22 2015 - 12:06 PM.