13 replies to this topic

[Mikasa]

I've seen these guys several years now and I never get around to getting them ID'd. I'm not sure what they are except they are tiny, yellow, and fly all night sometime in the summer. Gathered a bunch up to see if I can figure this out with your help. I know the pics aren't great but these girls are super small and my phone camera doesn't believe in macro.

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Artesia, NM
2. Date of collection: 6/28/22
3. Habitat of collection: Mesquite scrub, gathered from standing water beneath lights.
4. Length (from head to gaster): appx. 4 to 5 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Yellow, golden, very shiny.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: unknown
7. Distinguishing behavior:unknown
8. Nest description: unknown

9. Nuptial flight time and date: They flew the night of 6/27-6/28. This was the day after an extremely heavy rain that caused lots of flooding. Mimicus flew the morning of 6/27 and Pogonomyrmex the afternoon of the same day, these guys flew that night and appear to have flown all night.

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[lazyant]

Nylanderia males? Take this with a grain of salt. Guys if I am wrong Please tell me :]

[Mikasa]

They are most definitely queens not male alates. I just can't figure out what genus or species they are.

[lazyant]

They are most definitely queens not male alates. I just can't figure out what genus or species they are.

Hmmmm... Maybe Nylanderia queens, again I am pretty bad at IDS

 

Maybe it looks like this?

Edited by lazyant, June 28 2022 - 8:36 AM.

[Mikasa]

Gaster seems longer on these queens, and they are a very bright yellow/golden color not brown or black. Hard to find pics on queens in the Nylanderia genus. Most seem darker than these queens but I can't find pics on a lot either.

[Mikasa]

Ok, so I just came across a species that looks pretty close. Second opinions? Brachymyrmex depilis

[United-Ants]

Brachymyex depilis

[ugo]

I'm no expert but can they be solenopsis molesta? i use to have a few females a few years back and they look just like them.

here is a pic of them.

Solenopsis molesta by Hugo C, on Flickr

Edited by ugo, June 30 2022 - 7:55 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Definitely Solenopsis. I think getting it down to species is complicated out west where you are. I think most of these are polygynous in any case.

[Mikasa]

No, their waists don't taper slowly like a Solenopsis and there isn't as much separation between the throax and the gaster.

[Mikasa]

And I know my camera sucks but they actually don't look like those Solenopsis queens once you get up close

[NickAnter]

These are most definitely Brachymyrmex depilis.

[ANTdrew]

No, their waists don't taper slowly like a Solenopsis and there isn't as much separation between the throax and the gaster.

I thought you were asking about that second photo. My bad.

[Mikasa]

Haha no worries