LARGE (1in) Queen South Texas

[Atro9887]

First off please dont hate me, I'm a pest control tech, but I love ants and an fascinated by them and I've been wanting to start a colony, since I basically look for ants for a living. Recently I came across an ant I've never seen before, but just the queen (she had wings when I found her on the side of a house I was treating, which she broke off in the test tube the first night.) But I have no idea what she is...thinking ponera. I see alot of twig ants, thought maybe she was one, but she is huge, like 3-4 times a twig ants size and all black, no red marking like a twig, she has a golden sheen to her as well. Pics below.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzXhWkdRxPufQVdkc25UTlZ2X1U

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzXhWkdRxPufdTRaWTlXOGY1SVE

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzXhWkdRxPufVGF0TGhlMDFsNzQ

...just looking at her Im pretty sure she is semi-claustreal (spelling) so thats why you see some food items in the test tube, she drank some sugar water, but not eating any protein I offer...been about a week and a half and no eggs either...not sure what to think.

[Perkdawg]

Wow that's a great find! Pretty sure she's of the Neoponera genus, probably Neoponera villosa. I'm not familiar with care of this genus although I know they are polygenous and have a powerful sting. I can guess they are also semi claustral by their looks like you said. Just leave her in the dark undisturbed for a bit and if she is fertile and comfortable she should start laying eggs.

[Atro9887]

Thanks! I kinda thought she was a Villosa as well, but the entemologist where I work wasnt sure and thought it might be a twig ant, so I was hesitant. but looking at ant wiki, she is 17mm, just like she should be, and has that beautiful golden sheen. Im so excited (and a little scared) to have a shot at raising a colony of these monsters...(hopefully I dont ever get stung, they are known here are Greater Texas Bullet Ants for a reason). Ill keep everyone updated. If anyone has ANY advice.. I'm all ears! There is not much out there about the care of this species so any little bit helps.