5 replies to this topic

[Zhuge]

I found some crematogaster in Leavenworth WA. I thought it was a small population at first but then the next day they had a nuptiual flight. I caught 3 queens but all three had wings. They didn't fly when i threw them so i kept them. Here is a picture of the workers. I have the others in iNaturalist. Can anyone id the speceis pls.

[ColAnt735]

I don't think you uploaded the photos into your post or I just can't see them. However the pictures on Inaturalist are not Crematogaster they are Tapinoma sessile.

[Zhuge]

It raised its gaster when i bothered it. It also has a heart shaped gaster.

[Mettcollsuss]

https://www.inatural...tions/290044873

https://www.inatural...tions/290044874

https://www.inatural...tions/290044876

https://www.inatural...tions/290044878

https://www.inatural...tions/290044881

 

These are Tapinoma sessile. While Crematogaster do flag their gaster upwards when disturbed, they are far from the only ants to do so, Tapinoma included. These ants lack a postpetiole, so they cannot be in Myrmicinae, the subfamily that Crematogaster is in. The petiole is not visible from above, hidden under the anterior of the gaster, a trait characteristic of Tapinoma in this region. The head shape. eye placement, scape length, the somewhat flat, boxy mesosoma, and the gaster having only 4 visible tergites also all agree with Tapinoma.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, Yesterday, 3:10 PM.

[Zhuge]

Oh ok.

[RushmoreAnts]

It raised its gaster when i bothered it. It also has a heart shaped gaster.

Those do not have heart shaped gasters. Tapinoma sessile also raise their gasters in defense.