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Camponotus ID Near Wawona and Fish Camp, CA (5-4-2017)


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#1 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 11:17 AM

nurbs

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What I originally sorted as a black C. vicinus in the field looks to be something else altogether after putting her in a test tube.

The common large black Camponotus species here in CA are C. vicinus, C. laevigatus, C. modoc, and C. quercicola. I have found all four of these this season but this does not look like any one of them.

Does not appear to be C. modoc (no dense yellow hairs or alternating matt black stripes on gaster), C. laevigatus (hairs are not white and no C. laevigatus have red hues on their legs. C. laevigatus also much shinier), or C. vicinus (hair density and head to thorax ratio incorrect).

Could this possibly be a "northern" variety of C. quercicola?

** Will post macro shots when they are taken, but have attached a short cell video for now **


1. Location of collection: Near Fish Camp and Wawona CA
2. Date of collection: 5-4-2017
3. Habitat of collection: Mountain forest, pines
4. Length (from head to gaster): About 15mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: All black with transition to red hue on legs
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Short scapes, wide head, almost shiny, nearly hairless, "stocky" build




UPDATE:
Video comparision vs C. modoc, C. vicinus, C. laevigatus, and C. quercicola
Be sure to click HD 1080p on the cog wheel for best resolution.


Edited by nurbs, May 6 2017 - 3:35 PM.

Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#2 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 11:35 AM

nurbs

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Once I take some macros, I'll be using this key:

 

http://www.formicult...ates-southwest/


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#3 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted May 6 2017 - 11:55 AM

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You could check the antennal scapes. Camponotus quercicola will have no standing hairs. I haven't seen any descriptions which use the color of the legs.


Edited by Batspiderfish, May 6 2017 - 11:56 AM.

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.


#4 Offline gcsnelling - Posted May 6 2017 - 1:07 PM

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The red legs would lead me to C. modoc.


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#5 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted May 6 2017 - 1:22 PM

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Ah, she looks pretty shiny in the video, but I missed that she does not appear shiny enough in person.


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.


#6 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 1:27 PM

nurbs

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The red legs would lead me to C. modoc.

 

I keep wondering about those red legs. I've always recognized C. modoc by their furry yellow alternating matte black gasters. This one seems quite hairless.


Edited by nurbs, May 6 2017 - 1:30 PM.

Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#7 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 2:53 PM

nurbs

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Updated OP with video comparing other large common black Camponotus found in the same region. Last one is a C. quercicola found a few weeks ago. 


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#8 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 3:00 PM

nurbs

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Curiously, that C. laevigatus specimen is a tad on the smaller size. They are usually larger.


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#9 Offline dspdrew - Posted May 6 2017 - 3:05 PM

dspdrew
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The red legs would lead me to C. modoc.

 

I keep wondering about those red legs. I've always recognized C. modoc by their furry yellow alternating matte black gasters. This one seems quite hairless.

 

 

Yeah, to me the gasters of C. modoc look like the gasters of a lot of Formica species. The alternating shiny and dull terga.

 


Curiously, that C. laevigatus specimen is a tad on the smaller size. They are usually larger.

 

I have some pretty small ones.


  • nurbs likes this

#10 Offline nurbs - Posted May 6 2017 - 3:09 PM

nurbs

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I have some pretty small ones.

 

 

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:


  • dspdrew and Flubby100 like this

Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#11 Offline nurbs - Posted May 9 2017 - 3:16 AM

nurbs

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This exactly describes this ant.

 

Taken from http://www.antwiki.o..._et_al_1999.pdf

 

jFq8FNX.jpg


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#12 Offline nurbs - Posted May 9 2017 - 3:31 AM

nurbs

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So tempted to drive back there and look for more.


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#13 Offline Miles - Posted May 9 2017 - 6:28 AM

Miles

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There's no way this is C. modoc. I've collected these queens in the Northwest and I still haven't gotten a good ID. I'll keep an eye on this hoping you figure it out.


Edited by Miles, May 9 2017 - 6:29 AM.

PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab 

 

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.


#14 Offline nurbs - Posted May 9 2017 - 3:50 PM

nurbs

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Yeah, it sure doesn't look like it. Curious to see what the workers look like. This one unfortunately has not laid any eggs yet.

Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#15 Offline SoySauce - Posted May 9 2017 - 4:28 PM

SoySauce

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Nurbs, can you come over and look at all the ones I collected and see if I got any? :)

#16 Offline nurbs - Posted May 9 2017 - 11:46 PM

nurbs

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If you weren't so far I would! We should head back to Yosemite.


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#17 Offline nurbs - Posted May 16 2017 - 7:05 PM

nurbs

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This queen has not laid a single egg. Wondering if she is infertile or maybe even parasitic.

 

I plan on heading back to the Eastern Sierras when it warms up later this month and possibly find more of her (and maybe grab a few more Modocs and Vicinus and anything else interesting).

 

If I do find more, I can sacrifice this one and take some super closeup macro shots of her head and stack the focus via photoshop.


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#18 Offline nurbs - Posted May 17 2017 - 1:17 AM

nurbs

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This is slowly turning into a journal rather than an ID thread, but since she wasn't laying any eggs, and thinking she could possibly be parasitic considering the size of her gaster, I gave her some brood from a year old C. modoc colony (1 pupae, 2 larvae, 1 egg).

 

She happily and very excitedly accepted them.

 


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#19 Offline nurbs - Posted October 13 2017 - 5:02 PM

nurbs

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She died sometime in June. Didn't lay any eggs. If she did, she ate them.

 

Haven't had time to go back and find more, but plan on looking for them next season.

 

Preserved the specimen in alchohol.

 

9PNrgyul.jpg


  • LC3 likes this

Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#20 Offline T.C. - Posted October 13 2017 - 6:46 PM

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Do you leave them in the alcohol, or is there a point where you take them out?

" Whatever You Are, Be a Good One "





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