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Some kind of Formica?

Started By Izzy , Jul 21 2023 9:10 PM

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#1 Offline Izzy - Posted July 21 2023 - 9:10 PM

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I think this is some kind of desert Formica but I could be wrong. I found two that were alone, but then I found these two together under a rock, so it appears maybe they're polygynous? Found in Emery county, Utah hiding under rocks. Any ideas on species?

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#2 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 22 2023 - 6:33 AM

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Lasius
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#3 Offline Izzy - Posted July 22 2023 - 8:40 AM

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Ah ok! I haven't really caught either of these genus yet. The day I ID a Formica correctly will be quite the day. haha


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#4 Offline antperson24 - Posted July 22 2023 - 9:31 AM

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I am surprised to see they were nesting together, as Lasius is not normally considered polygynous; that's pretty cool.


Edited by antperson24, July 22 2023 - 11:04 AM.

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 Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?

There are so many fascinating ants right were you live!

I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that are not found in your area.

 

#5 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 22 2023 - 10:07 AM

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I am surprised to see they were nesting together, as Lasius is not normally considered polygynous; that's pretty cool!


If they are Lasius Brevicornis then they can be polygynous. I think you need to look at their underside to ID them.

#6 Offline antperson24 - Posted July 22 2023 - 10:55 AM

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They don't look like L. brevicornis to me, but I could be wrong.


Edited by antperson24, July 22 2023 - 11:04 AM.

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 Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?

There are so many fascinating ants right were you live!

I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that are not found in your area.

 

#7 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 22 2023 - 10:58 AM

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You may be right I don't think they live in deserts.

Edit: they can but less common there. Izzy I think you should try but it's entirely up to you

Edited by Virginian_ants, July 22 2023 - 11:00 AM.

#8 Offline Izzy - Posted July 22 2023 - 2:07 PM

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I think my big concern is just disturbing them at this point since I'm already test tubed them up and put them in a dark area. When workers arrive at some point would it be easier to identify based off of them?


#9 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 22 2023 - 2:31 PM

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Yes. If the workers are black then they are Niger group of they are yellow they are Brevicornis.
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#10 Offline Izzy - Posted July 22 2023 - 2:55 PM

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Cool, I'll wait for workers and update here when I find out! Thanks all!


#11 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 22 2023 - 3:27 PM

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If they are Lasius Brevicornis they are one of my favorite speices.

#12 Offline Izzy - Posted July 22 2023 - 5:23 PM

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If they are Lasius Brevicornis they are one of my favorite speices.

 
That's cool! What is it about them that makes them one of your favorites?


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#13 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 23 2023 - 6:18 AM

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They are so cute and they were the first ant I ever caught.
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#14 Offline Virginian_ants - Posted July 23 2023 - 8:11 AM

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I think you need to look at their sides here are some photos.
Lasius Flavus group.
colony-of-lasius-flavus-ants-free-anthouse.jpg
Lasius Niger groupLasius-niger-w.jpg
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#15 Offline Izzy - Posted July 23 2023 - 8:53 AM

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I looked underneath one of them in the test tube that was standing above a clear part of the test tube (I have some dirt in there) and the underside seems to be much lighter than the top. So that makes me think they are indeed Lasius flavus based off these pictures. This lines up with the fact that I have the two that appear to be polygynous as well, so I think we solved it!


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