30 replies to this topic

[Alza]

I went hiking and got three queens of what i believe is Myrmecocystus Mimicus. They were fighting two other species of ants, Dorymyrmex Bicolor, and Forelius SP. They have a range of worker sizes and are very fast moving. I've identified it by the head shape, and very long legs, But as most of you know, this is not enough to go by. I'm 100% sure its in the genus of Myrmecocystus though. 

Queen- bright red with black gaster.( thought it was dorymyrmex SP at first )

Worker-Dark red with a black gaster ( knew it was myrmecocystus )

 

And then i came into contact with liometopum occidentale, and got to pick them up

 

The Myrmecocystus Mimicus were transferred into a test tube, and one of the queens and five workers went into a colony of argentine ants, and were able to co-exist. Hopefully they survive till tomorrow. If they do i will move them into their own setup

And yes, it was a flight.

[Chromerust]

I'm confused, how did you get workers from a nuptial flight

[LAnt]

And why would you put them with Argentines in the first place.

[kellakk]

A couple problems with your post.  First of all, the species name in binomial nomenclature is always lower case.  Second, what evidence characterizes what you found as a flight?  You only mentioned fighting between species, never any alates flying.  A dealate (is this a term used in myrmecology?) would not be found with workers unless the colony was budding, which I don't think Myrmecocystus sp. do and would also not constitute a nuptial flight.  Third, why the heck would you put them with Linepithema humile? 

[Alza]

I wasnt being specific, but the main colony was having a nuptial flight, with alates flying past me. the queens came out of the holes in a rapid manner and adjusted their legs and wings, then flew off. The workers were swarming, and that is how i got them. The war is when i witnessed other ant species attacking the queens that were ready to "take off" and the swarming workers. Its only logic to keep two ant species seperated, but curiosity got the best of me. And they are still alive.

that's my only response

[Gregory2455]

Oh... Wait... You must be confused. Myrmecocystus do not make alates at this time of the year at all. However, Prenolepis imparis do. Prenolepis imparis are Formicinae like Myrmecocystus, have repletes, and fly at this time of the year. Where is the location you went, I would like to check it out tomorrow, as I would really like this species.

[Alza]

It was a mountain hiking area around stoney point, Chatsworth. and the workers weren't repletes. Also I'm going to try and make the pictures i took my screen pic, so you guys can see for yourself.

[Gregory2455]

What what was the exact date and time.

[Alza]

1:57 and whatever day it is today 

[Gregory2455]

Cool! Thanks. I am going tomorrow.

[Alza]

Sounds good. this is also where i found messor andrei. 

pogonomyrmex californicus, liometopum occidentale, and liometopum luctuosum. 

[Alza]

californicus is just everywhere, occidentale is in a very dense forest-like area, that's far back. about 30 minutes of a walk. And luctuosum, i just find random workers running around. Forelius are everywhere, and the myrmecocystus mimicus are only in one area, next to the mountains. And dorymyrmex is there. Argentine ants are not present.

[Gregory2455]

I will head to a trail in Simi first, because there is more shade and the ground will be looser in case I do see founding chambers. Then I will head there.

[Alza]

Sounds good.

[dspdrew]

Oh yeah, I can almost grantee what you saw was a P. imparis flight. the queens look exactly like Myrmecocystus, and this is within two weeks of when they flew last year. This means I missed it.

[Alza]

if they are really imparis, you can have mine....

[dspdrew]

I'll trade you something for one of those.

[Alza]

yea...one of them died. But you can take the other two for something cheap.

[LAnt]

isn't one in a box of argentine ants?

[Alza]

I removed it. But it still died...