9 replies to this topic

[Volant]

Queen/Drone 1,2,3

 

 1. Location: Soutthern NY

 2. Date Of  Collection: 8/3/17 (4:00 to 5:00 PM)

 3. Location Of Collection: Pool

 4. Length: Around 7mm

 5.Coloration: Fully red

 6. Distinguising characteristics: Oval-ish shaped head

 

I'm pretty sure that these are all drones ( They have a long narrow gaster, like a drone). But they seem too big and don't have a small head like drones do.

 

Queen 4

 

 1. Location: Southern NY

 2. Date Of Collection: 8/3/17 ( 4:00 to 5:00 PM)

 3.Location Of Collection: Pool

 4. Length: N/A ( Check Picture)

 5. Coloration: Black head and gaster

 

 

[Nathant2131]

Queen 1 2 and 3 are queens of either Lasius murphyi or Lasius latipes (both temporary social parasites that we have not had tons of luck with raising)

 

I'm not sure about queen 4 but it could possibly be Solenopsis molesta / a closely related species.

[Volant]

If Queen 4 is Solenopsis molesta, doesn't the black gaster mean that it has a parasitic fungus/nematode?

[FeedTheAnts]

If Queen 4 is Solenopsis molesta, doesn't the black gaster mean that it has a parasitic fungus/nematode?

No, it's probably just Pheidole.

[Nathant2131]

If Queen 4 is Solenopsis molesta, doesn't the black gaster mean that it has a parasitic fungus/nematode?

I think so. I just learned that from VoidElecent.

 

 

If Queen 4 is Solenopsis molesta, doesn't the black gaster mean that it has a parasitic fungus/nematode?

No, it's probably just Pheidole.

 

Yeah Pheidole is another possibility. I don't know, Myrmicine genera are just not my thing.

[Volant]

Here is a better picture of Queen 4,

 

[Nathant2131]

Notice the antennal club. I would go with S. molesta.

[cpman]

Notice the antennal club. I would go with S. molesta.

I can't see if the club has two or three segments from the photo.

People should keep in mind that S. molesta is not the only small, yellowish member of this genus in the US. It may be the most common one, but there are other

Edited by cpman, August 4 2017 - 6:57 PM.

[Nathant2131]

 

Notice the antennal club. I would go with S. molesta.

I can't see if the club has two or three segments from the photo.

People should keep in mind that S. molesta is not the only small, yellowish member of this genus in the US. It may be the most common one, but there are others.

 

Right. Solenopsis carolinensis and Solenopsis texana are also closely related species.

[cpman]

Notice the antennal club. I would go with S. molesta.

I can't see if the club has two or three segments from the photo.

People should keep in mind that S. molesta is not the only small, yellowish member of this genus in the US. It may be the most common one, but there are others.

Right. Solenopsis carolinensis and Solenopsis texana are also closely related species.

I think you tell them apart by queens, but I'm not particularly experienced with that. Mostly because my microscope doesn't magnify nearly enough to look closely at the workers, and because I usually don't see queens when I find them.