Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Seattle, WA - Workers farming aphids

Started By prettycode , Sep 3 2015 2:55 PM

Best Answer Miles , September 3 2015 - 4:10 PM

These are Lasius cf. pallitarsis workers.

Go to the full post

Please log in to reply

8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline prettycode - Posted September 3 2015 - 2:55 PM

Advanced Member

Members
86 posts

Noticed this in my backyard today:

http://imgur.com/a/yRU6N#0 (6 pictures)

See how the bottom of the vine is darker green? I went in for a close-up and realized it's covered in aphids!

And there are ants roaming around them! Actually, the ants are traveling in two directions.

The ants traveling DOWN toward the end of the vine, where the aphids are, have small (empty), opaque gasters.

The ants traveling UP away from the end of the vine, back to the nest, have much larger gasters--now with translucent stripes. They're full of aphid poo!

Tried to get video but it turned out terrible. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures!

What species is this?

Edited by prettycode, September 3 2015 - 6:28 PM.

ctantkeeper, BrittonLS, LC3 and 1 other like this

#2 Offline Tpro4 - Posted September 3 2015 - 3:22 PM

Advanced Member

Members
304 posts

LocationNorth Hills, CA

i think they are a typr of honey pot, but the picture is too blurry

Remember Dragon Warrior, anything is possible when you have inner peace. - Master Shifu

Current Queens:
1 Unknown Pogomyemex
1 Solenopsis Xyloni

#3 Offline AntsTexas - Posted September 3 2015 - 3:46 PM

Advanced Member

Members
340 posts

LocationLubbock, Texas

s. invicta do the same

prettycode likes this

Ant Queens found:

Solenopsis Invicta, Solenopsis xyloni, Brachymyrmex depilis/Sp, Myrmecocystus Mimicus, Pogonomyrmex barbatus,

Forelius pruinosus, Camponotus sayi, Dorymyrmex insanus, crematogaster ashmeadi,

----------------------------------------

Ant Queens i have going right now:

camponotus sayi, solenopsis invicta, Myrmecocystus Mimicus, Forelius pruinosus

Pogonomyrmex barbatus, and some others (no i.d.)

---------------------------------------

YouTube: AntsTexas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdockray1

Facebook page: AntsTexas

#4 Offline Miles - Posted September 3 2015 - 4:10 PM Best Answer

Advanced Member

Members
540 posts

LocationFlorida & Arizona

These are Lasius cf. pallitarsis workers.

prettycode likes this

PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.

#5 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted September 3 2015 - 4:19 PM

Advanced Member

Members
3,286 posts

LocationCalifornia

Dang, Miles beat me to it. Yeah these are Lasius.

prettycode likes this

#6 Offline ctantkeeper - Posted September 3 2015 - 4:20 PM

Advanced Member

Members
704 posts

LocationCT

defiantly lasius

prettycode likes this

#7 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 4 2015 - 6:38 AM

Owner

Administrator
9,835 posts

LocationSanta Ana, CA

defiantly lasius

:lol:

LC3 likes this

My Ant Colonies | My Projects | Ants for Sale | Ant Keeping Products | Southern California Ant Map

#8 Offline prettycode - Posted September 4 2015 - 2:45 PM

Advanced Member

Members
86 posts

Did the ants happen upon all these aphids and send a workforce over to fill up with aphid poo, or do these ants keep the aphids as husbandry (i.e move the aphids around as the ants see fit, help protect care after young aphids, etc.)?

#9 Offline Billy - Posted September 5 2015 - 7:39 AM

Advanced Member

Members
57 posts

LocationIsle of Wight, England

Did the ants happen upon all these aphids and send a workforce over to fill up with aphid poo, or do these ants keep the aphids as husbandry (i.e move the aphids around as the ants see fit, help protect care after young aphids, etc.)?

I'm not sure about this particular case, but I know that some species do the latter.