19 replies to this topic

[SheldonLee5]

Title:
1. Location of collection Greers ferry arkansas
2. Today's date 6/25/2015
 
Body:
1. Location of collection near little red river

2. Date of collection 6/25/2015
3. Habitat of collection forest trail
4. Length 
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture (ie: dark redish-orange head, velvet-like gaster, translucent, hairy/bald, shiny/dull, etc.). Be as specific as possible, and you can use the diagram below if you need it.
6. Distinguishing characteristics (ie: one petiole node/two petiole nodes, length and orientation of any spines or bumps on the thorax or waist, head shape, eye size, shape of mandibles, number of antennal segments, etc.)
7. Anything else distinctive (ie: odor, behavior, characteristics relative to others in the colony, etc.).
8. Nest description (if you can find the nest, and you're sure it belongs to the ant you collected) (ie: rotted log, volcano-shaped mound of coarse gavel 10cm in diameter, etc.).
9 . Post the clearest pictures possible of the top, side, and face of the ant in question, and if possible, their nest and the habitat they were collected in.

Attached Images

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Edited by SheldonLee5, June 29 2015 - 4:25 PM.

[LC3]

Doesn't look black to me. Please remember to fallow these guidelines to make it (a lot) more easier to ID.

http://www.formicult...t-a-new-thread/

[BrittonLS]

http://www.formicult...617-velvet-ant/

 

I really hate to tell you, but I think it may be a velvet ant.

[Ants4fun]

^^^ +1

[cpman]

It does not look like a velvet ant.
It's not hairy enough and the abdomen tip is roundedz. Also it has elbowed antennae and clear wing scars.
It looks a lot like a Formica queen. My guess from the coloration and locailty would be something in the F. pallidefulva complex.

Edited by cpman, June 25 2015 - 5:59 PM.

[Gregory2455]

http://www.formicult...617-velvet-ant/

 

I really hate to tell you, but I think it may be a velvet ant.

Absolutely not.

It does not look like a velvet ant.
It's not hairy enough and the abdomen tip is roundedz. Also it has elbowed antennae and clear wing scars.
It looks a lot like a Formica queen. My guess from the coloration and locailty would be something in the F. pallidefulva complex.

there's no way this is a velvet ant.

[Alza]

Agreed, grey c:

We have narrowed it down to being a queen in the chat room though, we have on idea what kind.

[Gregory2455]

https://www.antweb.o...t=arkansasants 

This species has a large amount of pubesance- looks like it too.

[Miles]

I second Formica, and Formica cf. pallidefulva.

[Gregory2455]

Formica dolosa.

[Ants4fun]

http://www.formicult...617-velvet-ant/

I really hate to tell you, but I think it may be a velvet ant.

Absolutely not.

It does not look like a velvet ant.
It's not hairy enough and the abdomen tip is roundedz. Also it has elbowed antennae and clear wing scars.
It looks a lot like a Formica queen. My guess from the coloration and locailty would be something in the F. pallidefulva complex.

there's no way this is a velvet ant.

There is some confusion. At first he had pics of a velvet ant, then he changed the pics so he could I.d. a different ant.

Notice he said red and black ant i.d. that ant is not red and black. He put different pictures on.

Also notice he edited the post after me and britton posted that.

Edited by Ants4fun, June 25 2015 - 7:41 PM.

[SheldonLee5]

We have narrowed it to  Formica pallidefulva queen. Thanks all.  

[Ants4fun]

We have narrowed it to  Formica pallidefulva queen. Thanks all.  [/size]

You changed pictures correct? I am just making sure I didn't go crazy...

[SheldonLee5]

 

We have narrowed it to  Formica pallidefulva queen. Thanks all.  [/size]

You changed pictures correct? I am just making sure I didn't go crazy...

 

Yes! I had a velvet ant orignally. hahaha. I'm glad I got this queen! I do have a question though.. what's a good easy ant to take care of? Fast, and quickly growing species? 

[Ants4fun]

My list for northern species.
1. Camponotus -they are large and easily observed, yet they are not very agressive, and pretty laid back. They are also pretty prolific, however it takes a bit to get their first workers.

2. Formica medium sized ant that is very lively, but also very skittish. They are very easy to care for, and can take some wear and tear. Very common.

3. Tetramorium. Common in urban areas. Queens are easily found, and get a lot of workers fast. The one issue is that they are fairly small, and are escape artists.

My list for southern species.

1. Pheidole. They are very common, and queens are easily found. Brood development is fast, and they are very prolific. Also, majors are something that this genus takes to extremes. They are very interesting to look at.

2. Crematogaster. This is also a good genus for northern locations if available. They are prolific, and have awesome heart shaped gasters!

3. Camponotus. I know I already put them down, but just to stress how awesome they are. The Camponotus down here nest in dirt instead of logs, but are more colorful.

[LC3]

My list for northern species.
1. Camponotus -they are large and easily observed, yet they are not very agressive, and pretty laid back. They are also pretty prolific, however it takes a bit to get their first workers.

2. Formica medium sized ant that is very lively, but also very skittish. They are very easy to care for, and can take some wear and tear. Very common.

3. Tetramorium. Common in urban areas. Queens are easily found, and get a lot of workers fast. The one issue is that they are fairly small, and are escape artists.

My list for southern species.

1. Pheidole. They are very common, and queens are easily found. Brood development is fast, and they are very prolific. Also, majors are something that this genus takes to extremes. They are very interesting to look at.

2. Crematogaster. This is also a good genus for northern locations if available. They are prolific, and have awesome heart shaped gasters!

3. Camponotus. I know I already put them down, but just to stress how awesome they are. The Camponotus down here nest in dirt instead of logs, but are more colorful.

You forgot Lasius niger. Usually for people in Europe but you can also find them here. They're easy to take care of and they gain workers really really fast. They would usually start laying eggs faster than other queens. Plus they're really common.

Edited by LC3, June 26 2015 - 8:32 AM.

[Ants4fun]

I'm talking about the United states.
Lasius along with aephenogaster where the honorable mentions.

Edited by Ants4fun, June 26 2015 - 8:45 AM.

[LC3]

Lasius niger isn't found in the US? The more you know....

[Ants4fun]

It's cousin lasius neoniger is. Lasius niger exists solely as occasional hitchhikers.

[Gregory2455]

 

 

http://www.formicult...617-velvet-ant/

I really hate to tell you, but I think it may be a velvet ant.

Absolutely not.

It does not look like a velvet ant.
It's not hairy enough and the abdomen tip is roundedz. Also it has elbowed antennae and clear wing scars.
It looks a lot like a Formica queen. My guess from the coloration and locailty would be something in the F. pallidefulva complex.

there's no way this is a velvet ant.

There is some confusion. At first he had pics of a velvet ant, then he changed the pics so he could I.d. a different ant.

Notice he said red and black ant i.d. that ant is not red and black. He put different pictures on.

Also notice he edited the post after me and britton posted that.

 

This was cleared in the chat room too but thanks for the clarification.