3 replies to this topic

[BMM]

1. Location of collection: Just south of St. Louis
2. Date of collection: 6/28/17
3. Habitat of collection: Crawling around at the edge of a driveway
4. Length (from head to gaster): 4 mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Brownish orange, lighter at the tip of the gaster
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Two petioles, very small hairs on the gaster, two small spines
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: Not sure

 

I caught this worker poking around a Tetramorium nest. I don't believe I've ever seen this particular type of worker before.

 

 

[Nathant2131]

Aphaenogaster sp.

[BMM]

Yeah, that looks right. I've never seen any of them around before, which is interesting. I wonder where they've set up their nest.

[Nathant2131]

Yeah, that looks right. I've never seen any of them around before, which is interesting. I wonder where they've set up their nest.

An easy identifier for this genus is to look at the mesosoma in profile; Notice the very steep declivity. This can even be seen with the naked eye.