Formica subsericea ID confirmation please

Help with identifying the species your ants

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antsMAN
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:10 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Formica subsericea ID confirmation please

Post: # 8845Post antsMAN
Wed Jul 20, 2016 12:41 pm

Just seen one flying outside. One I have in a THA Talus and the others are in test tubes.

Caught in Canada, Nova Scotia, about 10mm, black with brownish legs, workers all black.

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2sOumHN0xQ[/youtube]

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Formica subsericea ID confirmation please

Post: # 8851Post Batspiderfish
Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:24 pm

Sorry for not answering this sooner on the other board. I've been looking through "A Field Guide to the Ants of New England", and they have a neat method of sorting through the Formica subsericea complex. Since it looks like The first two tergites of the queen's gaster are covered in silvery pubescence, she is not Formica fusca. Silvery pubescence on only the first two tergites suggests Formica glacialis, but if there is also hair on the third, and if the antennal scapes are longer than the length of the head, then she is most likely Formica subsericea.
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.

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antsMAN
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:10 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Re: Formica subsericea ID confirmation please

Post: # 8861Post antsMAN
Wed Jul 20, 2016 4:41 pm

Thanks Bat, Formica subserciea it is. I posted on the other forum crediting you.

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