3 replies to this topic

[YawningGull]

Body:
1. Location of collection: Suburban Renton. Saw her in my backyard.

2. Date of collection: August 20 2016
3. Habitat of collection: Suburban area, in backyard. On a patio. She was looking for places to dig.
4. Length: 11mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Black, shiny, bald. She has a slightly whitish/milky/translucent(?) band or two on her gaster.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: She doesn't have much of a visible waist.
7. Anything else distinctive: It's kinda cute how whenever I take her out of the dark to take pictures she spins around and freaks out. Like she's been caught doing something.
8. Nest description: No nest.

 

 

 

I think she's lasius niger

 

Is it just me or do queens look really pretty.

Edited by YawningGull, August 21 2016 - 8:33 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

Can we please get a close image of the front of the head? She is a Formica queen.

[YawningGull]

 

 

I hope these are good enough. It's not a social parasite right?

Edited by YawningGull, August 21 2016 - 12:41 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

I'm going with Formica argentea, based on the hairiness of the gaster and the length of the antennal scapes.

 

She is fully-claustral, like all species from the fusca group.