Hi ant lovers!
17.AUG.2017. Split, Croatia, Europe
I found this queen bullied by two majors in a red Messor colony.
The majors were pulling the queen by the wings pretty violently, and she seemed in distress.
The queen is black (red-ish legs, though), so I concluded she is not one of their alates.
She most likely had poor luck choosing the landing spot, or perhaps they evicted her for some reason.
She is 11-12mm long, shiny black.
Does she look like Messor barbarus to you?
Also, a few photos of the red colony. Are they the same species as the queen?
Notice the shrunk gasters, it has been rather dry for months.
Thanks!
Edited by skocko76, August 17 2017 - 8:22 AM.