11 replies to this topic

[hendicott]

 

I was at work and needed to go off site to do some phone stuff and as it happens, that area was 100% total eclipse.

 

Here is all that I know about her

She crawled up to me on a rock wall that I was sitting on while waiting on the eclipse.

Kansas City, Kansas

Aug 21 2017

very humid day. it had been raining off and on all day and still is. Sky was clear at the time but there were clouds during the 45 seconds of eclipse totality

She is the biggest ant I've ever seen in person16 to 17mm. I thought she was a wasp at first.

 

as you can see, she has suffered some trauma. One antenna is gone on the same side as a missing wing. 

 

hope this is enough info.

 

 

[Volant]

My guess is  Camponotus cf. pennsylvanicus queen. 

[VoidElecent]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus; it is very unlikely she will survive with a missing antenna.

Edited by VoidElecent, August 24 2017 - 10:47 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

She will probably need a meal, too. Temperate Camponotus only fly this late when the colony is unable to provide for the alates over the winter.

[hendicott]

interesting. I'm glad you said that. I'll offer her some honey and a small cricket tonight. Poor thing is having a hard time getting around with one antenna missing. She ends up on her back a lot when turning around.

[AntsMaryland]

She probably won't make it ;(

I hope you have other ant colonies/queens!

[Connectimyrmex]

Actually, one-antennaed ants actually have a good chance of survival (my Formica incerta queen has one antennae but is the only Formica queen that I have as of now with pupae!)

[hendicott]

it would be really cool if she did make it because she is so big but it's not be deal if she doesn't. I have another Camponotus (but about half the size) that came to me in my kitchen in May and she has 5 kids now.

 

I saw a 4 legged and partial antenna queens (vids) where they are doing ok, so what will be will be.

[AntsMaryland]

It's not short term. It's more longterm for the queen's survival.

[ultraex2]

Not sure why people are saying 1 antennae missing means it will likely die - both maybe, but just 1 should be fine... I have a Tetramorium queen missing an antennae and nanitics just hatched earlier this week.

 

On the other hand, it is pretty late for Camponotus to be flying and I've read (not sure how true) people saying that they were ejected from the nest since it's getting close to hibernation season.  Will be interesting to see if a Camponotus queen this late will lay workers!  Even if it laid eggs today, it would take about 5-6 weeks for them to hatch so it'd already be halfway through October.

[Connectimyrmex]

It's not short term. It's more longterm for the queen's survival.

Antennal loss means nothing to ants, in truth, the first colony I've ever kept (Ochetellus glaber) reached 30 workers with the queen missing three legs and one antenna.

[hendicott]

For what ever she died. I wonder because of the late flight or/if forced out  to make room, if she lost her wing and antenna at the colony and never made it to a nuptial. I'd like to find that colony and camp it for next year.

 

I also wish I could figure out how to add others comments in my post too..lol

Edited by hendicott, August 29 2017 - 6:28 AM.