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Formica fusca group? Found in Southeastern Michigan. 7/24/2024


Best Answer Mettcollsuss , August 1 2024 - 11:41 AM

Formica fusca group, almost certainly subsericea, however there are some rarer species that cannot be definitively ruled out. We would need to see the relative density of the pubescence on the third and fourth tergites and/or the presence or absence of large punctures on the malar area in order to distinguish it from F. argentea, and the relative density of the gaster pubescence and pilosity to separate from species like subaenescens, podzolica, or glacialis.

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#1 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted July 26 2024 - 4:44 PM

michiganantsinmyyard

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Pretty sure this is fusca group, but I would rather have people more experienced than me come to a conclusion.

 

I know its probably quite hard to nail a species down, but I'm guessing this is subsericea.

 

Approximately 10mm.

 

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IMG_2217.JPG


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#2 Offline Stubyvast - Posted July 26 2024 - 6:12 PM

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Wow she looks aggressive in that first photo! And pretty fat with food! Formica subsericea is my guess.


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Currently raising: 

Manica invidia (1 queen +  ~30 workers)

Manica invidia (3 colonies, 3 queens plus brood)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~200+ workers)

Lasius americanus (3 colonies, ~5 workers p/colony)

Tetramorium immigrans (1 queen + ~1200 workers)

Tetramorium immigrans (3 colonies, 3 queens)

 

"I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath."

      - David Lynch


#3 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted July 27 2024 - 2:21 AM

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It could also be F. neogagates but I don't see any silver band on the gaster from these pics indicating F. subsericea. Although it still could be F. subsericea.

Keeping:

1x - S. molesta REBOOT (founding)         1x - C. pennsylvanicus (founding)   (y) New!

2x - C. chromaiodes (founding queen and colony)                                       

1x - T. sessile (mega colony)

1x - C. nearcticus (alate ==> founding?)

 

Check out my C. nearcticus journal here: https://www.formicul...cticus-journal/

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/


#4 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted July 27 2024 - 7:18 AM

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It could also be F. neogagates but I don't see any silver band on the gaster from these pics indicating F. subsericea. Although it still could be F. subsericea.

If it’s any help in direct sunlight the gaster is highly silver in color.

#5 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted July 27 2024 - 7:46 AM

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It could also be F. neogagates but I don't see any silver band on the gaster from these pics indicating F. subsericea. Although it still could be F. subsericea.

If it’s any help in direct sunlight the gaster is highly silver in color.
Then yeah that's definitely F. subsericea (as from what I know, F. neogagates is a completely solid color with no silver effect to the gaster. The setae on their gaster comparatively is the same exact as F. subsericea at least to the naked eye).

Keeping:

1x - S. molesta REBOOT (founding)         1x - C. pennsylvanicus (founding)   (y) New!

2x - C. chromaiodes (founding queen and colony)                                       

1x - T. sessile (mega colony)

1x - C. nearcticus (alate ==> founding?)

 

Check out my C. nearcticus journal here: https://www.formicul...cticus-journal/

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/


#6 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted July 27 2024 - 7:54 AM

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It could also be F. neogagates but I don't see any silver band on the gaster from these pics indicating F. subsericea. Although it still could be F. subsericea.

If it’s any help in direct sunlight the gaster is highly silver in color.
Then yeah that's definitely F. subsericea (as from what I know, F. neogagates is a completely solid color with no silver effect to the gaster. The setae on their gaster comparatively is the same exact as F. subsericea at least
to the naked eye).
I did find the queen in a field woodland border, with a marsh nearby. I don’t know if that’s any indication of species however.

#7 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted July 27 2024 - 8:31 AM

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F. subsericea can be found practically anywhere with a field or just some vegetation here and there. They would definitely be found near a woodland edge near a field as it provides great resources for a colony of this species.

Keeping:

1x - S. molesta REBOOT (founding)         1x - C. pennsylvanicus (founding)   (y) New!

2x - C. chromaiodes (founding queen and colony)                                       

1x - T. sessile (mega colony)

1x - C. nearcticus (alate ==> founding?)

 

Check out my C. nearcticus journal here: https://www.formicul...cticus-journal/

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/


#8 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted July 31 2024 - 7:24 PM

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It is definitely f. subsercia considering that you are in the states and the abdomen is shiny. F. fusca is the one in Europe

Also I am currently keeping them and they outgrew my L. niger colony with larva that is 2 stages ahead of theirs in roughly 2 weeks

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, 35-40 workers +  BIG brood pile + 10 pupa.

1x Crematogaster cerasi, 1 workers + finally some bigger brood (The worker that was dying died  :facepalm:)

1x Myrmica ruba sp around 10 workers

*New* 1x  founding Camponotus pennsylvanicus + eggs that die (probably infertile)

*New* 2x Camponotus nova, one is infertile

*As you watch your ants march, remember that every thing begins with a small step and continued by diligence and shared dreams*

-A.T (which is Me)

 


#9 Online Mettcollsuss - Posted August 1 2024 - 11:41 AM   Best Answer

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Formica fusca group, almost certainly subsericea, however there are some rarer species that cannot be definitively ruled out. We would need to see the relative density of the pubescence on the third and fourth tergites and/or the presence or absence of large punctures on the malar area in order to distinguish it from F. argentea, and the relative density of the gaster pubescence and pilosity to separate from species like subaenescens, podzolica, or glacialis.


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#10 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted August 11 2024 - 1:57 PM

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Formica fusca group, almost certainly subsericea, however there are some rarer species that cannot be definitively ruled out. We would need to see the relative density of the pubescence on the third and fourth tergites and/or the presence or absence of large punctures on the malar area in order to distinguish it from F. argentea, and the relative density of the gaster pubescence and pilosity to separate from species like subaenescens, podzolica, or glacialis.

Even though it doesn't matter, I probably will take pictures of those regions you listed and post it here. If you do reread this thread and find the pictures then it would be cool to know exact species if the pictures are adequate.






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