Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Central Florida, 5/18/2022

Started By FloridaAnts , May 18 2022 3:12 PM

Best Answer Manitobant , May 18 2022 - 3:22 PM

Solenopsis invicta queen. Xyloni has been extinct in florida (and the rest of the southeast US) for more than half a century. Go to the full post

Please log in to reply

4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline FloridaAnts - Posted May 18 2022 - 3:12 PM

Advanced Member

Members
374 posts

LocationFlorida

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Central Florida
2. Date of collection: Wednesday, May 18th
3. Habitat of collection: Driveway, urbanized neighborhood
4. Length (from head to gaster): About 10mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Head is red, thorax is red-black, gaster is orange where petiole connects, but midway the color changes to reddish black.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Normal queen ant, but doesn’t seem to be Solenopsis invicta due to thorax pattern
7. Distinguishing behavior: Found with wings, the queen later removed them
8. Nest description: (I don’t know where the nest is!)
9. Nuptial flight time and date: around 3:30, May 18th.

Note: I have heard Solenopsis invicta has a orange V shape in the thorax(I have seen queens with this) this queen does not. Genetic variation or Solenopsis Xyloni?

#2 Offline Manitobant - Posted May 18 2022 - 3:22 PM Best Answer

Advanced Member

Members
2,900 posts

LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Solenopsis invicta queen. Xyloni has been extinct in florida (and the rest of the southeast US) for more than half a century.

Edited by Manitobant, May 18 2022 - 3:28 PM.

James C. Trager and FloridaAnts like this

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted May 18 2022 - 3:39 PM

Advanced Member

Members
3,307 posts

LocationOrange County, California

This is definitely S. invicta.

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 FloridaAnts - Posted May 18 2022 - 3:46 PM

Advanced Member

Members
374 posts

LocationFlorida

Solenopsis invicta queen. Xyloni has been extinct in florida (and the rest of the southeast US) for more than half a century.

Any recent reports of The southern fire ant? Or are they basically gone…(Anywhere not just Florida)

I’ll keep it, due to the fact the one other time I had invicta the queen had nanitics, and she never laid any more eggs despite protein and carbohydrates feedings given to the workers. Also, not sure if it’s normal, but she got physo-gastric in the test tube after tearing off her wings

Edited by FloridaAnts, May 18 2022 - 3:51 PM.

#5 Offline Manitobant - Posted May 18 2022 - 4:11 PM

Advanced Member

Members
2,900 posts

LocationWinnipeg, Canada

Solenopsis invicta queen. Xyloni has been extinct in florida (and the rest of the southeast US) for more than half a century.
Any recent reports of The southern fire ant? Or are they basically gone…(Anywhere not just Florida)
I’ll keep it, due to the fact the one other time I had invicta the queen had nanitics, and she never laid any more eggs despite protein and carbohydrates feedings given to the workers. Also, not sure if it’s normal, but she got physo-gastric in the test tube after tearing off her wings

solenopsis xyloni are super common in the desert regions of the southwestern united states, where it is too dry for invicta to survive long term. In the east, xyloni has been completely wiped out by invicta, which fill a very similar niche but do it much better.