10 replies to this topic

[Kunphushun]

I stumbled across this girl today.  My main question is how can I tell if she's gravid?  I'm fairly certain she's Solenopsis Invicta since they are plentiful here. Ill fill out all the info as requested below.  Thanks!

 

Location - Bogalusa, Louisiana, USA

Date - Nov. 4, 2015

 

1.  She was collected by happenstance in my back lawn.  Its been raining for days here and today is the first sunny day.  I was on the cell, looked down, and there she was. 

2.  Collected on 11-4-2015

3.  Habitat -  lawn

4.  Length -  I could only measure standard (3/8ths inch) converted is approximately 9mm. 

5.  Coloration -  Deep red head and thorax, and nearly black abdomen.  Shiny. 

6.  Notes - She is in the test tube now, but even before I put her in there she was lethargic.  She would only move around if I prodded at her a bit.  Otherwise once she found a spot she liked she would remain still.  I hope she is gravid.  

 

Are those small balls a parasite?  Will that kill her?

 

[drtrmiller]

Yes, Solenopsis invicta.

 

The condition you described makes for a poor prospect for a healthy colony, even if she is fertile and survived, the latter of which is also unlikely, given her wings.

[Crystals]

Try keeping her around 29C (84F), they get slow when they are cold.

 

There is no way to tell if a queen is fertile or not until her offspring arrive.  workers = fertile, males alates = infertile.

I have had queens with wings who were fertile, and queens without wings who were infertile; so wings are not a clear guarentee.  Admittedly, some species almost always shed their wings after mating.

 

Keep an eye out for more, pools are a good spot to find queens.

 

PS. what is the red dot in the picture?  On the queen's thorax.  Something on the far side of the tube, or a mite actually hitching a ride?

[Kunphushun]

Thanks yall. I think they're getting ready to fly as I just found a nest and collected 5 more queens just like this one. All with wings.

that's awesome because I happen to have a pool! Yay!

I think the red dot is a mite. Its alive and moves around. Lol

[Kunphushun]

Pic didn't work

Edited by Kunphushun, November 4 2015 - 1:58 PM.

[James C. Trager]

Generally, fire ant queens that fly in the coolest months of the year have lower likelihood of being fertile, and even if they are, of surviving. Survival is impproved by supplemental feeding or boosting with brood from an established colony.

[dspdrew]

OMG Antdude would be having a melt-down right now.

[James C. Trager]

I fixed it before he got to see all those typos. 

[Foogoo]

OMG Antdude would be having a melt-down right now.

 

[antmaniac]

"OMG! Antdude would be having a melt-down right now." You missed an exclamation mark.

[dspdrew]

"OMG! Antdude would be having a melt-down right now." You missed an exclamation mark.

 

You're right! Thank you.