5 replies to this topic

[OmniusClone]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Lindsay, CA
2. Date of collection: 6/3/2018
3. Habitat of collection: On the cement outside of a fast food chain. 
4. Length (from head to gaster): All are approximately 4-5 mm. 
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: All four have dark brownish-black colouring with a smooth texture. There's also a light band of yellow/white on the edge of each segment of the gaster. 
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Being that they're so small, it's difficult for me to define anything in particular. I can see that there doesn't appear to be a distinct petiole or transition. The eyes are large in relation to the head, the mandibles small. The gaster does appear slightly pointed. 
7. Distinguishing behavior:Each queen was highly energetic when captured, running around the interior of the pill containers I collected them in, and not calming down even several hours later when I was rehousing them in test tubes. This is, combined with the camera on my phone being at it's limits, is the reason I wasn't able to give truly decent photos. 
8. Nest description: The nest was located in a large division between cement in the sidewalk. A large amount of media had been pushed out to form a sloping half-hill ending at the nest entrance. I couldn't locate any other entrances/exits. Very nondescript except for the hill. 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: Flight time is unknown, but the date was 6/3/2018, with collection time being around 21:45. 

 

 

My sincerest apologies beforehand for the picture quality. I'll try to take some more as soon as I can, but these queens are so small it's very difficult to get any kind of definition with my phone. 

As to the species, my best guess is Tapinoma. 

 

Here's the first:

 

 

The second:

 

 

Third:

 

 

 

A brief note about the fourth. I'm not entirely sure this one should be grouped the with others.  The wings obscure things, and something just doesn't seem to fit with the other three. The size is however very similar. 

 

Fourth:

 

 

 

Well there you have it, the biggest one time collection I've ever stumbled upon, submitted for your approval. 

As always, I very much appreciate any information and assistance. 

Cheers!

[Irishmate03112002]

Google brachymyrmex. I'm not experienced with them but it looks like a match.

[Canadian anter]

This is most likely Brachymyrmex obscurior or pantagonicus

[Irishmate03112002]

When you load pictures to Formicultures gallery, there are arrow tools towards the bottom to rotate your photo. Click it twice.

[OmniusClone]

So I did a quick search on antwiki, and I agree that Brachymyrmex is the most likely. The area I'm in makes patagonicus the most likely genera. I'm still not sure about #4, though, but for now it seems the best answer. 

Thank you both for the clarification, I really do appreciate it. 

 

And thanks again, Irish! I didn't notice that at all. It'll definitely make things easier to look at. 

[OmniusClone]

So I checked on my collection today, and all of the dealates that had removed their wings have laid small clutches of brood! They're very small, but I took some pictures and I think they show up. At the same time, they were much more well behaved, and the pictures of the queens themselves are much better. 

 

Here's #1:

 

 

 

#2:

 

 

 

And #3:

 

 

 

As for the one with wings, it was still very active and running around. No sign of eggs at all, so I don't think she's mated. 

Not sure if these will change the opinion of Brachymyrmex, but either way more pics is always better.