Girlfriend caught a queen today
Moderator: ooper01
Girlfriend caught a queen today
Girlfriend caught a queen today in a founding chamber by herself while gardening. We live in central Illinois and the queen appears to be 11-12 mm(she wouldn't cooperate for omeasurements and keeps moving in the cotton each time I try). Used a sewing gauge in CM for the last picture where I was able to kind of get her to stay still long enough to get a measurement.
Re: Girlfriend caught a queen today
Resembles Camponotus pennsylvanicus. Did your girlfriend find workers with her?
Keeper of
Selliing:
Selliing:
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Girlfriend caught a queen today
I would take a look at the descriptions for Formica argentea and Formica subsericea. Assuming she was not found with any workers or brood, I am guessing the latter.
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: Girlfriend caught a queen today
She seemed small for Camponotus, I believe you're right.
Keeper of
Selliing:
Selliing:
Re: Girlfriend caught a queen today
Yeah she's smaller than my Camponotus species and there were no workers or brood. I was also leaning towards Formica before posting.
Re: Girlfriend caught a queen today
I've never kept any Formica before. Anything terribly different from keeping Camponotus? I have her in a test tube setup in the dark currently. Is she parasitic? Do I need to provide brood to get her started?
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Girlfriend caught a queen today
She is one of the claustral Formica species. They are probably a little easier to keep than Camponotus, but they are very sensitive -- they have decent vision (for an ant) and will be agitated more easily by bumps or irregular vibrations.
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: Girlfriend caught a queen today
Update for this queen: she's got a little clutch of eggs now.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests