16 replies to this topic

[LiMike]

Hi Guys, I was wondering if you can help me out with ID this queen. I took a picture next to a tetramorium queen so you can get a size comparison. I was thinking Aphaenogaster picea but her head is red? 

Thank you in advance 

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Edited by LiMike, August 3 2020 - 6:29 PM.

[Aaron567]

Looks like Pheidole pilifera. 

Edited by Aaron567, August 3 2020 - 6:34 PM.

[LiMike]

Looks like Pheidole pilifera. Where are you located?

Hi Aaron, I am located on Long Island, New York 

[Otter]

Yup this is definitely pilifera. They enjoy the sandy soils of the pine barrens, particularly nesting under rocks in somewhat sandy areas. They also only really fly during/after rains.

[LiMike]

Looks like Pheidole pilifera. 

 

 

Yup this is definitely pilifera. They enjoy the sandy soils of the pine barrens, particularly nesting under rocks in somewhat sandy areas. They also only really fly during/after rains.

 

Thank you very much Guys, I really appreciate your help on this. I was not aware that Pheidole was in my area. I found a couple that are doing very well, I just wasn't sure what they were.

Thanks again 

[TechAnt]

Yeah Pheidole are mostly very small ants, fun to keep too!

[Antkid12]

Nice queen, she is pretty big for pheidole!

[DDD101DDD]

Nice. Pheidole are actually rare here, so it's a pretty good find.

[LiMike]

Nice. Pheidole are actually rare here, so it's a pretty good find.

Thank you very much!! Yes, I sent a picture to a friend of mine asking him to help with an ID about a week ago. I mentioned that I thought it was Pheidole as well but we both thought Pheidole wasn't on Long Island? I found 4 and all with eggs now (all found on different days) He thought she looked parasitic Lasius from there top view but definitely not from the side.

Edited by LiMike, August 4 2020 - 8:44 AM.

[Otter]

 

Looks like Pheidole pilifera. 

 

 

Yup this is definitely pilifera. They enjoy the sandy soils of the pine barrens, particularly nesting under rocks in somewhat sandy areas. They also only really fly during/after rains.

 

Thank you very much Guys, I really appreciate your help on this. I was not aware that Pheidole was in my area. I found a couple that are doing very well, I just wasn't sure what they were.

Thanks again 

 

 

 

 

Nice. Pheidole are actually rare here, so it's a pretty good find.

Thank you very much!! Yes, I sent a picture to a friend of mine asking him to help with an ID about a week ago. I mentioned that I thought it was Pheidole as well but we both thought Pheidole wasn't on Long Island? I found 4 and all with eggs now (all found on different days) He thought she looked parasitic Lasius from there top view but definitely not from the side.

 

You actually have several pheidole species in Long Island. You have Pheidole bicarinata, Pheidole davisi, Pheidole morrisii, Pheidole pilifera, and Pheidole tysoni, with Pheidole morrisii and Pheidole pilifera are especially common in the pine barrens. 

[LiMike]

Thank is very interesting Otter, Thank you very much for your help and info on this!! I will be sure to keep an eye out for them. So its pretty safe to say this little lady is Pheidole pilifera? I would love to see some big headed ants in her future!! 

Thanks again 

[Otter]

Yes, Pheidole pilifera on the east coast is extremely distinct. The pilifera group is mainly in the southwest US although several of the NY species are in the group (all except pilifera probably shouldn't be). They are pretty distinct, they have very chunky heads (queens and majors) compared to fallax group.

[LiMike]

Thank you again Otter, I really appreciate all the help with this. I noticed 3 out of the 4 queens that I have look very similar but slightly different. All same shape and size but One has a red head with black gastor and thorax. The other red head, red thorax and black gastor and the third is all red. Are they the same species just different coloring or different species of Pheidole?

Thanks again!!

 

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[ANTdrew]

Try blacklighting next June, and you’ll get lots of Pheidole bicarinata.

[Otter]

Yes, that is just individual variation. Pheidole pilifera can be extremely bright yellowish red or they caan be nearly black. All still pilifera though. You have some very nicely colored queens, the top two and the 7th look like they have some brightish reds and cool patterns.

[PurdueEntomology]

Hi Guys, I was wondering if you can help me out with ID this queen. I took a picture next to a tetramorium queen so you can get a size comparison. I was thinking Aphaenogaster picea but her head is red? 

Thank you in advance 

Interesting variation in the two in cephalic/thoracic size ratios

[AntsDakota]

Nice queen, she is pretty big for pheidole!

This is normal for pilifera.