18 replies to this topic

[cooIboyJ]

Date: 3/13/2024

              

                          I caught a new queen ant at the park a few days ago. The queen does not seem very light sensitive, does anyone know the species?

                       Here are the pics:                                                                                                                                                                         (Sorry if the pics are a little blurry)

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Edited by cooIboyJ, March 13 2024 - 12:06 PM.

[antsriondel]

It looks like either Lasius latipes a parasitic species, or a Solenopsis genus species. 

[PurdueEntomology]

I would venture it is either the sub-family Formicinae or Dolichoderinae.  It may be a Forelius spp. or Dorymyrmex spp. The images leave much to the imagination. 

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Looks like Dorymyrmex bureni

[The_Gaming-gate]

It's Dorymyrmex (crazy ants, pyramid ants).They should like sugar.

[antsriondel]

I would venture it is either the sub-family Formicinae or Dolichoderinae.  It may be a Forelius spp. or Dorymyrmex spp. The images leave much to the imagination. 

Wow totally forgot about Forelius. It looks similar to this Forelius Queen: https://www.formicul...ius-sp-journal/. Also Dorymyrmex are more elongated than the ants in these photos. Would really require better photos to confirm though.

Edited by antsriondel, March 14 2024 - 5:10 PM.

[cooIboyJ]

Would it help if I mention that I caught it from a super colony?

[The_Gaming-gate]

Would it help if I mention that I caught it from a super colony?

This doesn't help too much in itself, but it does tell us that the species does not have majors (which is why i suspect Dorymyrmex)

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Yes Dorymyrmex are common in Henderson  Nevada

[ReignofRage]

It is almost definitely Forelius, which are known to form "super colonies." The pictures aren't decent, but they at least show the eye size, eye placement, and head shape.

Edited by ReignofRage, March 14 2024 - 4:29 PM.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

What do you mean by a supercolony ? Thousands of workers strong and a big nest?

[cooIboyJ]

Multiple queens

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

They could just be a poly colony.

[Artisan_Ants]

It is almost definitely Forelius, which are known to form "super colonies." The pictures aren't decent, but they at least show the eye size, eye placement, and head shape.

Forelius mcooki to be exact (hopefully) I was thinking that after some research.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

I agree after, some deeper research it look to be F.mcooki

 

Edit:F.mccooki

Edited by GOCAMPONOTUS, March 16 2024 - 11:49 AM.

[ReignofRage]

I have no clue as to how you are negating F. pruinosus. The spelling of F. mccooki is "mccooki" as well, not "mcooki."

Edited by ReignofRage, March 15 2024 - 7:53 PM.

[The_Gaming-gate]

It actually seems to be Forelius.

[ANTdrew]

These threads are irksome.

[Artisan_Ants]

This queen has an overall darker appearance, which makes me believe that it is F. pruinosus as ReignofRage stated. Other than that, we need some better pics since color isn’t always the best indicator.