18 replies to this topic

[Chandlerk]

First timer here, I am hoping someone can help identify these two queens.

 

Queen 1:

1. Location of collection: Maryland (Near DC)
2. Date of collection: 9/20
3. Habitat of collection: edges of my yard

4. Length (from head to gaster): 11-12 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  can't tell
6. Distinguishing characteristics: The gaster is a bit transparent.

7. Distinguishing behavior: none
8. Nest description: very small mounds

 

Pictures:

 

 

 

 

Probably a Lasius of some sort.

 

Queen 2:

1. Location of collection: Maryland (Near DC)

2. Date of collection: 9/20
3. Habitat of collection: In my driveway and on the asphalt.

4. Length (from head to gaster): 5.5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  can't tell -- light coloration
6. Distinguishing characteristics: The gaster is a bit transparent and bulging.

7. Distinguishing behavior: seems to love water
8. Nest description: didn't see a nest

 

Pictures:

 

 

 

 

So far I have gotten  Solenopsis, Tetramorium, Brachymymex, Monomorium, Tapinoma

 

Thanks for the help!    

Edited by dspdrew, September 21 2016 - 1:37 PM.
Fixed images

[Chandlerk]

update for Queen 2:

 

 

The length is looking more like 4-5mm

I had two die overnight.

 

New pictures

 

Edited by dspdrew, September 21 2016 - 1:40 PM.
Fixed images

[Canadian anter]

Queen 1 LoOKs like lasius alienus and queen 2 is brachymyrmex depilis

[Kevin]

Queen 2 could be solonopsis molesta, take that with a grain of salt.. usually don't ID.

EDIT: I would trust Canadian anter's better... looks more like it.

Edited by Kevin, September 21 2016 - 1:16 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

Lasius neoniger (most likely) and Brachymyrmex depilis, Although I can only see one photograph of each.

[Chandlerk]

Lasius neoniger (most likely) and Brachymyrmex depilis, Although I can only see one photograph of each.

You can only access one of each or they are too blurry?

Edited by Chandlerk, September 21 2016 - 3:24 PM.

[Canadian anter]

Lasius neoniger (most likely) and Brachymyrmex depilis, Although I can only see one photograph of each.

How do you distinguish neoniger and aliens?

[Batspiderfish]

 

Lasius neoniger (most likely) and Brachymyrmex depilis, Although I can only see one photograph of each.

How do you distinguish neoniger and aliens?

 

 

I didn't, in this case. Lasius alienus stops flying by August. California might get the oddball in the fall, but not the East Coast.

[Batspiderfish]

 

Lasius neoniger (most likely) and Brachymyrmex depilis, Although I can only see one photograph of each.

How do you distinguish neoniger and aliens?

 

 

Oh, but to answer your question, Lasius alienus is the only Eastern North American niger-group Lasius without erect hairs on the scapes of their antennae.

[Chandlerk]

UPDATE: Here is a much clearer picture of the L. neoniger.

 

[Chandlerk]

and B. depilis (?)

[Chandlerk]

Update: I noticed that the [possible] B.depilis colony is polymorphic, I saw a couple of majors.

Is B. depilis polymorphic?

[Batspiderfish]

Update: I noticed that the [possible] B.depilis colony is polymorphic, I saw a couple of majors.

Is B. depilis polymorphic?

 

Brachymyrmex depilis, the queens that you have, are not polymorphic.

 

I can't see anything new about the Lasius queen.

[Chandlerk]

Update: I noticed that the [possible] B.depilis colony is polymorphic, I saw a couple of majors.

Is B. depilis polymorphic?

Brachymyrmex depilis, the queens that you have, are not polymorphic.

I can't see anything new about the Lasius queen.

I just grabbed some workers and a major.
Pictures shortly

[Chandlerk]

 

 

Update: I noticed that the [possible] B.depilis colony is polymorphic, I saw a couple of majors.

Is B. depilis polymorphic?

Brachymyrmex depilis, the queens that you have, are not polymorphic.

I can't see anything new about the Lasius queen.

I just grabbed some workers and a major.
Pictures shortly

 

 

Here are a few pictures i got of some workers and a major. 

 

 

The rest are in my gallery

 

[Batspiderfish]

The workers are Pheidole. The queens are still Brachymyrmex.

[Chandlerk]

The workers are Pheidole. The queens are still Brachymyrmex.

How deep/ wide do Pheidole make their nests/tunnels?

 

I am contemplating digging them up.

[Batspiderfish]

 

The workers are Pheidole. The queens are still Brachymyrmex.

How deep/ wide do Pheidole make their nests/tunnels?

 

I am contemplating digging them up.

 

 

I don't know.

 

Also, don't dig them up; just wait for their flight in July.

 

BTW, somebody recently found Aphaenogaster tennesseensis in DC.

Edited by Batspiderfish, October 3 2016 - 1:47 PM.

[Chandlerk]

will do.

unfortunately i am not sure i will be here in July