8 replies to this topic

[alex-barty]

Hello,I found this tiny queen that looks like pheidole to me but I think pheidole fly later in the season here in Greece.
1. Athens,Greece
2. 17th of May,collected during the night
3. Rocky/bush area right next to the sea
4. 0.5 CM
5. light orange,almost yellow a bit red

Thanks for checking this thread out 🙏

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[Mettcollsuss]

Tetramorium ferox complex, probably either T. ferox or T. diomedium

[Manitobant]

Also be aware that T. ferox is a social parasite, so you will need host workers of caespitum or another similar species (preferably callows due to the aggressive nature of the host)

[alex-barty]

Thanks for the info!I will give her some honey and set her free where i found her because i won't be able to properly take care of her needs.Thanks a bunch guys:)

[Manitobant]

Taking care of parasites isn’t THAT hard lol. All you need to do is flip a rock and get a few callows (light colored newly ecolosed workers) and some assorted brood items. Then you’re all set.

[bmb1bee]

I wish we had parasitic Tetramorium here. There are tons of T. immigrans colonies I could collect from. Then again, these aren't native here either.

[Manitobant]

The eastern US and Canada has T. atratulum which is an inquiline, though to my knowledge it hasn’t reached cali yet. As for temporary parasites and slave makers, both the ferox complex and strongylognathus could definitely survive in North America as they attack immigrans in their native range.

Edited by Manitobant, May 18 2023 - 11:40 AM.

[alex-barty]

Taking care of parasites isn’t THAT hard lol. All you need to do is flip a rock and get a few callows (light colored newly ecolosed workers) and some assorted brood items. Then you’re all set.

I know,i've kept lasius fuliginosus in the past its just that i don't know any spots with tetras near me (i caught this queen at my job where the microclimate is totally different from my house's) and I also work loong hours during the summer wich makes things even more complicated.I will give it a shot though tomorrow and i'll take a walk on the mountain near my house.I might get lucky.She will only accept tetramorium callows right?

[Manitobant]

Yeah she will accept callows and i’d also recommend sticking in some pupae as well. Let’s say like 3-5 callows and 10-15 pupae although the more the better.

Regular workers can sometimes work but the problem is that they may attack the queen. In some genera this is less of an issue but with something as territorial and aggressive as Tetramorium I wouldn’t risk it.