1. Nova Scotia (Annapolis Valley), Canada
2. May 14, 2022
4. Length: 15-16 mm
5. Color: Black head, black gastor, top of thorax black with lower thorax brownish red, legs brownish red
6. 25-28 Degrees Celsius
6. Distinguishing characteristics/behavior/Nuptial flight time and date:
I'm hoping this is Camponotus herculeanus and not novaeboracencis. It is the earliest nuptial flight I have seen here. Most novaeboracensis fly in mid June around here. However, I just moved to a new home just twenty minutes down the road from my former residence, so not entirely sure about this area. Also, I never experienced the nuptial flight which makes me think these queens may have been hunkering down for the winter and coming out as the temperatures went up to 28 degrees Celsius last week. There are a bunch of them though so there very well could have been a flight. They're all in and out of my stacked split wood.
What makes me think it's novaeboracensis? Well one, is the size. I think herculeanus is a mm or two bigger. There are some hairs on the gastor but none on the face (that I can see). The habitat is lower farmland. The clypeus does not appear to be notched but not 100% sure.
What makes me hopefull it's herculeanus? Frankly its the colour pattern and the hair on the gastor. But not much hope there.
Please excuse the images. I tried my best.
Attached Images
Edited by Canadant, May 18 2022 - 12:50 PM.
