5 replies to this topic

[qwerty3]

Location: Charlottesville, VA

 

Date and time: April 14, 2023 @ 1:30pm

 

Location of collection: Suburban sidewalk

 

Length: ~1.5 cm

 

Coloration: Mostly black, reddish-brown hues on underside and legs

 

Distinguishing characteristics: Prominent wing scars; mostly sits still, but runs like crazy when disturbed

 

OF NOTE: It has been unseasonably hot and sunny this week. Experiencing peak summer temperatures. It's also about to rain here. Not sure if this is relevant, but may help.

 

Found her while on a walk. I suspect C. pennsylvanicus based on her size, but isn't it way too early in the season? Any help is appreciated!

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Edited by qwerty3, April 14 2023 - 10:19 AM.

[AntsCali098]

Camponotus queen, nice catch! Not sure on the species but it looks familiar, not pennsylvanicus, the coloring doesn't match. C.pennsylvanicus is all black. It looks like C.americanus to me, but not a professional.

Edited by AntsCali098, April 14 2023 - 10:22 AM.

[qwerty3]

Camponotus queen, nice catch! Not sure on the species but it looks familiar, not pennsylvanicus, the coloring doesn't match. C.pennsylvanicus is all black. It looks like C.americanus to me, but not a professional.

 

Is she capable of laying eggs? I believe it's early in the season for any kind of nuptial flight.

[ANTdrew]

It is a Camponotus chromaiodes queen. She is certainly capable of laying eggs. C. chromaiodes normally fly in April.

[AntsCali098]

 

Camponotus queen, nice catch! Not sure on the species but it looks familiar, not pennsylvanicus, the coloring doesn't match. C.pennsylvanicus is all black. It looks like C.americanus to me, but not a professional.

 

Is she capable of laying eggs? I believe it's early in the season for any kind of nuptial flight.

 

 

She definitely is, but there is no surefire way to tell that she is fertile. She probably is fertile, put her in a test tube setup and leave her undisturbed only checking every week or so. Good luck!

Edited by AntsCali098, April 14 2023 - 10:30 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

This is a pretty typical time of year for chromaiodes to fly. They fly earlier than other species like pennsylvanicus.