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Found this ant, is it a queen?

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 11:30 am
by nuget102
So I found this ant in Southern Nevada. I believe it may be a Formica obscuripes. Nothing unusual, since we have a infestation of them right now. But this one is noticeably bigger by a significant amount. It appears to be at or over 1/2 inch. The photos aren't the best, I'm sorry about that.
Also, the ant appears to have a noticeable hump on its back. Could that be where the wings were?

Re: Found this ant, is it a queen?

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 11:47 am
by nuget102
Ant album http://imgur.com/a/tBOy2A9

Re: Found this ant, is it a queen?

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 2:04 pm
by averagebilly
I can't view the photos right know, because of my connection, but your description definitely sounds like a queen. I'll come back when I'm able to look at the photos :)

Re: Found this ant, is it a queen?

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 3:49 pm
by nuget102
averagebilly wrote:
Mon May 07, 2018 2:04 pm
I can't view the photos right know, because of my connection, but your description definitely sounds like a queen. I'll come back when I'm able to look at the photos :)
Thanks! I'll wait patiently. I set the ant up in a small plant pot (it's very small and the only thing I have) and I made a little reservoir in the center that I put some honey in. I know queen ants may not need any liquids at all, but I'm worried about possible dehydration? I'm new to ants so I'm making guesses. I filled the bottom with some sand with a coffee filter and a piece of cardboard on the bottom. Fingers crossed she lays some eggs. :)

Re: Found this ant, is it a queen?

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 4:33 pm
by BleedingRaindrops
Looks like a queen, fully claustral too, so she'll be fine with just water in a test tube.

Yes, that hump is where her wings were. If you look closely there should be scars on the sides near the top, where she ripped them off.

Can you try to get some clearer photos of her, from the side, top, and front?