2 replies to this topic

[AdamL]

1. Location of collection: Bristol CT USA, in a forest
2. Date of collection: 8/9/23
3. Habitat of collection: In a forrest this forest is 50% pine, 50% normal leafed trees. She was found under some log bark next to a large termite colony.
4. Length: 4 or 5 mm
5. Coloration: all black, stinger is a lighter color
7. Anything else distinctive: seems to play dead when disturbed

This is the only individual I could find, couldn’t find a near or brood so I’m not sure if it was a foraging worker. But I really want to know if this is a queen.

[AntsCali098]

Yes a queen, ponera or hypoponera.

Be careful, this species is extremely sensitive to light. They are also very hard to keep alive, I've tried about 5 times but never succeeded. Use a petri dish setup with damp soil. They also need springtails to hunt, even in the foundation stage, make sure to provide her with them every day, but make sure to have little to no vibrations and don't expose her to light very much. Make sure the soil remains damp at all times, about 80% humidity.

Plaster setups also work, just add some sand/ soil to the top. You can also put soil in a test tube, but this is less effective.

[Aaron567]

Ponera pennsylvanica.