If anyone could help us ID our three queens, we would be most grateful. All three are about 14mm in length.
Queen #1
Of the three, she is "shinier". Her gaster was also much more swollen-looking.
Queen #2
Compared to Queen #1, her exoskeleton is dull.
Queen #3
Appearance-wise, she looks like Queen #2 but without wings.
I hope the photos are sufficient enough for an ID. My son believes they are Camponotus but we are unsure of the subspecies. We are also wondering if they are polygynous as we are starting to research formicariums and outworlds to purchase. Because, in all honesty, it would be nice not to have to buy three separate sets. And if they are not polygynous and we decide we can't afford to keep all three (cost-wise and space-wise), what should we do with the other two?
Thank you so much in advance for your advice.
ID Needed Please; Trout Lake, WA 05/04/2017
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- Batspiderfish
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- Location: Maine
Re: ID Needed Please; Trout Lake, WA 05/04/2017
The shinier queen(s) are probably Camponotus laevigatus, and the others, if they look different, could be C. modoc or C. herculeanus.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
Re: ID Needed Please; Trout Lake, WA 05/04/2017
Thank you. I find it so amazing that you can ID them. Identifying subspecies is so overwhelming. Based on pictures, our guesses had been C. nearcticus and C. pennsylvanicus.Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:09 amThe shinier queen(s) are probably Camponotus laevigatus, and the others, if they look different, could be C. modoc or C. herculeanus.
Would it be possible to put the two C. modoc queens together?
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: ID Needed Please; Trout Lake, WA 05/04/2017
To the best of my knowledge, these species are monogynous.KSkuroooari wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:54 pmThank you. I find it so amazing that you can ID them. Identifying subspecies is so overwhelming. Based on pictures, our guesses had been C. nearcticus and C. pennsylvanicus.Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:09 amThe shinier queen(s) are probably Camponotus laevigatus, and the others, if they look different, could be C. modoc or C. herculeanus.
Would it be possible to put the two C. modoc queens together?
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
Re: ID Needed Please; Trout Lake, WA 05/04/2017
Thank you. I will discuss with my son and decide which he'd like to keep and what we should do with the others. This is a great learning experience for him.Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 1:23 pmTo the best of my knowledge, these species are monogynous.KSkuroooari wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:54 pmThank you. I find it so amazing that you can ID them. Identifying subspecies is so overwhelming. Based on pictures, our guesses had been C. nearcticus and C. pennsylvanicus.Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:09 amThe shinier queen(s) are probably Camponotus laevigatus, and the others, if they look different, could be C. modoc or C. herculeanus.
Would it be possible to put the two C. modoc queens together?
Would you have a preference between the three?
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