6 replies to this topic

[thosaka]

1. Location of collection: Cleveland National Forest in California in San Diego County.
2. Date of collection: 3/12/2017.
3. Habitat of collection: Within dirt on a trail that runs through a forest and small hills.
4. Length (from head to gaster): about 14 mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Orange brown mixture abdomen, dark black/red thorax and head
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description: Within dirt.

 

I apologize in advance for the lack of clarity with the image. I couldn't get the queen out of the test tube so the test tube may distort the image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Martialis]

Myrmecocystus sp. I'm not making any more guesses as I'm across the continent.

Edited by Martialis, March 13 2017 - 6:03 PM.

[SoySauce]

lol I'm in the same state and I dare not to guess!

[soulsynapse]

Myrmecocystus testacious?

 

I'll defer to ppl who know better

Edited by soulsynapse, March 13 2017 - 6:26 PM.

[Zeiss]

LC3 and I both think that this queen could be Myrmecocystus mimicus.  

[Alabama Anter]

+1 On Mimicus.

[dspdrew]

Niiiice. That's a Myrmecocystus queen. It looks very much like the funky colored M. mimicus queens I've found before, but just a little different. Without putting it on a microscope, I couldn't make any better guess than that. Can't wait to see what its workers look like; that will be a good clue.