4 replies to this topic

[Am3ricanBanana]

1. Location of collection: Unk
2. Date of collection: Shipped 6/28/25
3. Habitat of collection: Potted plant
4. Length: 13mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Dark gaster, orange thorax, and darker rusty-orange head. Scattered hairs all over, but mostly on gaster and legs.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: One petiole node, blocky shaped head, large eyes, 10 antennal segments
7. Anything else distinctive:
8. Nest description:
9. Nuptial flight time and date: Unk
10 . Photos:

 

[Ants_Dakota]

If she is indeed from another state, extermination is the only legal option, especially considering those states are very far apart.

[RushmoreAnts]

Looks like either Camponotus floridanus, C. decipens, or C. discolor.

[Mettcollsuss]

Camponotus floridanus.

 

If she is indeed from another state, extermination is the only legal option, especially considering those states are very far apart.

While transport of ants across state lines without a permit isn't allowed, accidental stowaways happen and I doubt it would be punishable. I'm not an expert on the relevant APHIS regulations, so let me know if I am misinterpreting it, but: I don't think merely owning an exotic ant is illegal; Anything collected within your state (which this technically was — it may have originated in Florida but it was found and collected by the OP upon arrival in California) should be fair game. The illegal part is the transportation across state lines, which is already done, and was not done by the OP. I do encourage people to keep their native species but when a once-in-a-hobbyist-lifetime opportunity like this pops up, I would would personally take advantage of the opportunity and have fun (but be extra vigilant about containment). 

Edited by Mettcollsuss, Today, 7:56 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Camponotus floridanus is not a destructive, invasive species. And distance doesn't affect illegality; bringing a Lasius queen across the Minnesota border from 10 minutes away is just as illegal as bringing a queen from NYC to LA. So in this case, it wouldn't be an issue of illegality, it's of ethics.

 

And it was the queen that crossed the border, not a person bringing her. Queens fly across borders every single nuptial flight; they don't care about human imaginary lines.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, Today, 8:18 PM.