13 replies to this topic

[Scrixx]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Mt. Baldy, CA
2. Date of collection: 06/25/23
3. Habitat of collection: Riparian, near water. Found walking on the path.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 9mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black abdomen, reddish thorax/head. Hairs noted, more on abdomen.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Dull colored compared to Formica franceuri. Still has a mildy shiny abdomen though.
7. Distinguishing behavior: Does not move when spotted similar to Formica.

 

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Mt. Baldy, CA
2. Date of collection: 06/25/23
3. Habitat of collection: Riparian, near water, found under a rock.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 4mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Black and shiny throughout.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Fairly flat, thorax and abdomen are flat.
7. Distinguishing behavior: None noted

 

[bmb1bee]

First queen is definitely some species in the Formica fusca group. Probably either F. francoeuri or F. moki. Second queen is almost definitely a Liometopum. Not sure whether it's L. occidentale or L. luctuosum though.

[antsriondel]

Second Queen is Liometopum occidentale you can tell by the leg color. Liometopum is an awesome species to keep and honestly one of the most overlooked ants in the US.

[Scrixx]

Second Queen is Liometopum occidentale you can tell by the leg color. Liometopum is an awesome species to keep and honestly one of the most overlooked ants in the US.

Thanks for the reply but I think it's too small for Liometopum occidentale at 4mm. I've caught some this year and they're longggg. I'm hoping they're fertile because I haven't had a colony of them yet.

[Scrixx]

First queen is definitely some species in the Formica fusca group. Probably either F. francoeuri or F. moki. Second queen is almost definitely a Liometopum. Not sure whether it's L. occidentale or L. luctuosum though.

Thanks for the reply but I think it's too small for Liometopum. Hopefully that first queen is fertile so I can identify the workers. It's hard to find documentation on queen ID. I caught some F. francoeuri this year and it's different, you may be right on F. moki but I haven't had experience so maybe we'll see when workers come! Here's to hoping she's fertile!

[AntsCali098]

Second one could be bracymrymex sp?

[bmb1bee]

If it's 4mm long, maybe Tapinoma sessile? It doesn't quite look like a Brachymyrmex queen.

[Scrixx]

If it's 4mm long, maybe Tapinoma sessile? It doesn't quite look like a Brachymyrmex queen.

Ah yeah that might be it. Thanks! It's been years since I had any queens 

[antsriondel]

That is definitely Liometopum. It is way too big to be sessile.

[Somethinghmm]

The 2nd queen is Tapinoma sessile. It's not nearly big or bulky enough to be Liometopum

[Somethinghmm]

Second one could be bracymrymex sp?

No, Brachymyrmex have a distinctly rounded and "formicine" look

[Mettcollsuss]

The second is definitely Tapinoma.

[antsriondel]

Actually as I take a another look it does look like Tapinoma.

[AntsCali098]

Actually as I take a another look it does look like Tapinoma.

Probably is. Mettcollsuss is knowledge identifier.

Second one could be bracymrymex sp?

No, Brachymyrmex have a distinctly rounded and "formicine" look

Oh I see, I never thought of tapinoma. Thanks for clarifying.