7 replies to this topic

[Scrixx]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: 29 Palms, California.

2. Date of collection: July 19, 2017
3. Habitat of collection: Desert with dry grass and bushes.
4. Length (from head to gaster): 7mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Dark red to red, gaster is slightly darker red.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Hairs covering the head and thorax. It looks similar to Pogonomyrmex rugosus but smaller. Doesn't seem to be a great climber. Appears to have a stinger at the end of the gaster. No hair under the head. 
7. Distinguishing behavior: Settled into test tube without stressing out. Hasn't started grooming so may be infertile along with keeping her wings.
8. Nest description: N/A

 

Album : http://imgur.com/a/hjsWC

 

Habitat: 

Edited by Scrixx, July 19 2017 - 6:38 PM.

[nurbs]

The current IMGUR link shows no image.

[Scrixx]

The current IMGUR link shows no image.

 

Well that's awkward.. Fixed.

[nurbs]

How many of these did you find? Just one?

[nurbs]

She's no Pogonomyrmex, that's for sure. Not N. cockerelli either, too small at 7mm and no spines. Maybe we can get the experts to chime in. She is beautiful though. Nice find! 

[nurbs]

Want to say Pheidole, but again, not an expert on IDing - especially the smaller species.

 

EDIT:  Aphaenogaster occidentalis? but don't know enough about them... like do they occur in the desert as well as high up in the mountains? 

 

Was with Drew when he found this up in the mountains:

 

http://www.formicult...-16-2017/page-2

Edited by nurbs, July 19 2017 - 7:34 PM.

[dspdrew]

Looks like Pheidole hyatti to me. I find them all the time out there.

[Scrixx]

How many of these did you find? Just one?

 

I apparently got three of em. They landed in the middle of a Forelius orgy. 7+ males per female. The females were grabbing males and throwing them off. The first one I got was in the middle of a Pheidole xerophila mating flight. They seem to like hanging out with other species or they got lost in them.

 

Good job trying to ID though haha. She might be Pheidole hyatti, it's what I suggested the ID was to Vendayn.