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Dracut, Massachusetts (8/30/17)


Best Answer Nathant2131 , August 30 2017 - 5:48 PM

Ok let's do some narrowing as to what species-group this is:

 

exsecta group (F. exsectoides, F. ulkei) - It's not them, as this species-group has a distinctive concave posterior head margin - meaning their heads are flat.

 

fusca group (F. argenteaF. subsericeaF. glacialisF. podzolicaF. subaenescensF. neorufibarbisF. hewitti) - only immediate possibility for this group is F. neorufibarbis, as it's the only bicolored (not uniformly silver/black/dark brown) one around here. However they are characterized with black heads and a darker red (image)

 

neogagates group (F. neogagatesF. lasioides) - Queens are uniformly brown. Nada.

 

pallidefulva group (F. dolosaF. pallidefulvaF. incerta) - These species do not reside in deep forest (rather open areas like suburban lawns) and are not as bicolored as this queen.

 

rufa microgyna groups (Temporary social parasites) (rufaF. integraF. cf. fossaceps, F. obscuriventrisF. dakotensisF. knightiF. reflexamicrogynaF. querquetulanaF. impexaF. nepticulaF. morseiF. difficulisF. dirksi) - A possible candidate.

 

sanguinea group (Slave-makers) (F. rubicundaF. creightoniF. aservaF. pergandeiF. subintegra) - I think this group is most likely. One, the forest I found the queen in is always filled with raids going on. Second, the head is very very similar to this group; Slightly darker than the mesosoma and petiole, unlike the rufamicrogyna groups in which their heads are the same color as their mesosomas. So I think LC3 was spot on with the species group, and I think species. All the other species I read about reside in open habitats, while F. aserva nailed exactly where I found her; deep forest.

 

Well if my and LC3's ID is correct (which I'm still slightly iffy on as I did not use any valid morphological characters that would be included in a key) I'm happy, as I don't want to get into the trouble of stealin' some pupae if she was a temporary social parasite. Hope she survives well under my care. Making her a test tube setup in a few minutes.

 

ID just so I can "best answer" it: Formica cf. aserva, or something in the sanguinea group. Slight possibility of rufa microgyna group.

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#1 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted August 30 2017 - 4:21 PM

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1. Location (on a map) of collection: Dracut, Massachusetts. Dracut-Lowell State Forest.
2. Date of collection:  8/30/17, during the day.
3. Habitat of collection: Dense forest
4. Length (from head to gaster): ~9 mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Bicolored; Black/gray/silver gaster, red petiole and mesosoma, and head. Head is a slightly darker shade. Legs are a combination of red and black.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Postpetiole absent; 
7. Distinguishing behavior: Fast and erratic; She was tough to catch.
8. Nest description: She was under a small rock alone besides one another queen of the same species; They might have been coexisting. However they were too fast and I could only catch one.

 

She looks like one of the temporary social parasites or slave raiders of Formica. Narrowing it down to species-group is good enough for me. I know Formica identification is not easy.

 

LBMM6WW.jpg

 

ZqcyFoG.jpg

 

Ald72Wh.jpg

 

I can get better pictures if needed.



#2 Offline LC3 - Posted August 30 2017 - 4:45 PM

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Formica aserva perhaps?



#3 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted August 30 2017 - 5:48 PM   Best Answer

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Ok let's do some narrowing as to what species-group this is:

 

exsecta group (F. exsectoides, F. ulkei) - It's not them, as this species-group has a distinctive concave posterior head margin - meaning their heads are flat.

 

fusca group (F. argenteaF. subsericeaF. glacialisF. podzolicaF. subaenescensF. neorufibarbisF. hewitti) - only immediate possibility for this group is F. neorufibarbis, as it's the only bicolored (not uniformly silver/black/dark brown) one around here. However they are characterized with black heads and a darker red (image)

 

neogagates group (F. neogagatesF. lasioides) - Queens are uniformly brown. Nada.

 

pallidefulva group (F. dolosaF. pallidefulvaF. incerta) - These species do not reside in deep forest (rather open areas like suburban lawns) and are not as bicolored as this queen.

 

rufa microgyna groups (Temporary social parasites) (rufaF. integraF. cf. fossaceps, F. obscuriventrisF. dakotensisF. knightiF. reflexamicrogynaF. querquetulanaF. impexaF. nepticulaF. morseiF. difficulisF. dirksi) - A possible candidate.

 

sanguinea group (Slave-makers) (F. rubicundaF. creightoniF. aservaF. pergandeiF. subintegra) - I think this group is most likely. One, the forest I found the queen in is always filled with raids going on. Second, the head is very very similar to this group; Slightly darker than the mesosoma and petiole, unlike the rufamicrogyna groups in which their heads are the same color as their mesosomas. So I think LC3 was spot on with the species group, and I think species. All the other species I read about reside in open habitats, while F. aserva nailed exactly where I found her; deep forest.

 

Well if my and LC3's ID is correct (which I'm still slightly iffy on as I did not use any valid morphological characters that would be included in a key) I'm happy, as I don't want to get into the trouble of stealin' some pupae if she was a temporary social parasite. Hope she survives well under my care. Making her a test tube setup in a few minutes.

 

ID just so I can "best answer" it: Formica cf. aserva, or something in the sanguinea group. Slight possibility of rufa microgyna group.



#4 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted August 30 2017 - 9:19 PM

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I would guess Formica pergandei, based on the deep clypeal notch and the anterior shape of the petiolar scale; Formica aserva has a flat, fan-shaped scale. Being able to see fine details like hair coverage would be important to confirming an identity.

The exsectiodes group has a concave posterior head margin, meaning that the top of their heads are not flat. The clypeal notch disqualifies her from the rufa group, and microgyna queens are closer to half that size (and often pale).


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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Black lives still matter.


#5 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted August 31 2017 - 3:28 AM

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I would guess Formica pergandei, based on the deep clypeal notch and the anterior shape of the petiolar scale; Formica aserva has a flat, fan-shaped scale. Being able to see fine details like hair coverage would be important to confirming an identity.
The exsectiodes group has a concave posterior head margin, meaning that the top of their heads are not flat. The clypeal notch disqualifies her from the rufa group, and microgyna queens are closer to half that size (and often pale).


Ok thanks Bat! I did know what concave meant, but I just wrote flat as a brain fart. I'll get better pictures soon. She's in her test tube setup right now and looking healthy.

#6 Offline Diesel - Posted September 5 2017 - 3:51 PM

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Kinda looks like allegheny mound ant

Ant Species kept

 

Temnothorax Longispinosus.-Journal(discontinued)-(formerly)

Camponotus Noveboracensis (formerly)

Camponotus Nearticus-formerly

Tetramorium sp.-formerly

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Queen & brood.-formerly

Tapinoma Sessile-Journal (3 queen colony)-formerly

​Tapinoma  Sessile #2 (2 queen colony)-formerly

Aphaenogaster Picea-Journal-active

Crematogaster sp.(Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with 3 workers and brood-formerly

​Crematogaster sp. #2 (Cerasi or Lineolata) Queen with brood-formerly

Formica sp. polygenus-active 300+ workers-active

Formica Subsericea-active 25+ workers-active

Myrmica Rubra 400+ workers 3 queens-active


#7 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted September 27 2017 - 6:59 AM

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She died a bit back. I'll be able to get better pictures since I still have the dead specimen.




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