1. Location (on a map) of collection: Central NJ, US
2. Date of collection: June 29 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Mulch trail in wooded area. Came across what I'm guessing was their nuptial flight!
4. Length (from head to gaster): 8 mm. Male alates were much smaller, perhaps 1/4th of the size of the females?
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Red all over (including gaster). The male alates were a much darker color, like dark brown or black.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Lighter bands on gaster
7. Distinguishing behavior: N/A
8. Nest description: I found large clusters of alates at the entrances of fairly sizable holes (a bit smaller than a tennis ball at the entrance) in the mulch, which I think were their nests?
9. Nuptial flight time and date: 8:00PM, June 29 2020, about an hour before sunset.
I'm totally new to this, so any help would be appreciated. I was walking on a mulch trail in a wooded area in Central NJ and came across what I think was a nuptial flight taking place. I'd estimate there were as many as 50 queens! I gave them some privacy and came back about a half hour later, and managed to capture about 8 queens that were wandering around in the periphery after the nuptial flight. I'm guessing these are either solenopsis molesta or pheidole bicarinata?
Closer up side-ish view
