2 replies to this topic

[Ameisen]

1. Found in DuPage County, IL, swarming on the sidewalk.

2. Did not collect. 6/26/16

3. Suburban neighborhood.

4. Did not collect, do not have accurate size. Roughly the size of a minor C. pennsylvanicus. worker.

5. Shiny red. Other characteristics can be accurately seen in photograph.

6. See #5.

7. They were swarming when seen. Accidentally stepped on two (before noticing them) - they swarmed more strongly around the ones that were crushed.

8. Did not locate the nest.

 

I have never seen these ants in this area before. They were about the size of a minor C. pennsylvanicussylvanicus worker.

 

They were swarming from one side of the sidewalk to the other.

 

Edited by Ameisen, June 26 2016 - 3:44 PM.

[dspdrew]

Did they have sickle-like mandibles?

[Batspiderfish]

That's definitely Polyergus! Nice find! Keep an eye out for them conducting raids on Formica colonies. If you witness one, try to take samples of the Polyergus and Formica workers so we can learn more about them.