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Queen from North Charelston, SC 6/21/2016

Started By spytim , Jun 23 2016 12:22 PM
ant queen

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline spytim - Posted June 23 2016 - 12:22 PM

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Not really sure if this is an ant queen but i have a feeling she is?

1.I looked through a decayed log when i found this queen at the Watermaker Park in North Charelston

2. Found her on June 21st

3. Pine Forest

4.About 3 mm

5.She is a dark red, seems to have noticeable hairs all over.

6. Has a single band/indent on her Gaster, she has a more broad armored head almost wasplike.

7.Seems very calm even when handling the test tube.

8.

9. Best pic i could get sorry. https://gyazo.com/67...34e4563fbdcfbd4

 

Thank you in advance! :) 

Guess after i find out what she is ill have to find out how to best keep her, she is in a test tube with some moss and dirt right now.

 


#2 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 23 2016 - 12:37 PM

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Looks like a flightless wasp. Any pictures from the side, just to be sure?


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

#3 Offline spytim - Posted June 23 2016 - 1:02 PM

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Best i could get? https://gyazo.com/84...f3061d50e84b2ed


#4 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 23 2016 - 1:24 PM

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Hmmm. Now I am thinking it might be a Proceratium worker. I don't see any wing scars, so she probably isn't a queen. A nice find, regardless! Most ant enthusiasts will never see this genus.

 

She seems to be missing that curled gaster. As many half-decent pictures as you can provide, of different parts of the body, will be helpful.


Edited by Batspiderfish, June 23 2016 - 2:01 PM.

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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

#5 Offline spytim - Posted June 23 2016 - 2:01 PM

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If that's so I know where the nest is! :D

#6 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 23 2016 - 2:10 PM

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I know it's tempting, but this ant seems to have complicated needs -- I don't think any attempts at captivity have succeeded. In the wild, I believe they are specialist predators of spider eggs. You could maybe take a shot at this genus if you find a queen, or once you get a lot of experience under your belt, but it would be a shame to capture an established colony of this rare ant without having a good understanding of its requirements.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

#7 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 23 2016 - 2:13 PM

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If you can get good pictures of the side of her thorax, we could at least see if she is a reproductive female or not. It doesn't look that way, but we might as well make sure. I thought it was a wasp at first.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

#8 Offline TofuPower - Posted June 23 2016 - 5:10 PM

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Spytim,

When photographing tiny things, I find it easier to take a pic with my cell from a comfortable distance, allowing the camera lens to get a proper focus.

Then you can zoom in on the detail you want, and crop the image.

I'm not a pro or anything. I've just been photographing serial numbers and defects on small aircraft parts for a long time.

I hope this helps!

#9 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 24 2016 - 10:49 AM

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This is also a neat trick:

http://blogs.scienti...just-add-water/


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.

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