Hello,
I found this Formica sp queen and was wondering if she is in fact a social parasite, I was thinking about Formica rufa/polyctena.
I caught her on 20-5-2018 20:00 on an old train track walking around right here: https://www.google.nl/maps/@51.6086746,5.4711344,3a,59.5y,87.17h,88.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqY1U6q1jNp5St4LjsdDXCg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
She is about 12mm long and I made some pictures of her.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/zgMXCf6
And if she is indeed a social parasite, how can I raise her? Best without the use of digging up a Formica nest because they are pretty hard to find in my area. I do sometimes see some Formica fusca walk on the train rails so I could use those. Any other tips/notes about these ants are also welcome.
Thank you in advance,
Formica sp
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- Batspiderfish
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Re: Formica sp
I would say Formica rufa, based on what I can see from the shape of the petiolar crest. When you're struggling to get host brood, I find it's easiest to place a flat rock (e.g. slate) snugly over the nest entrance of a Formica colony that isn't covered with grass. The ants will begin moving brood underneath the rock within a few days or a week to take advantage of the heat it absorbs. You can eventually lift it up and snag around 6-10 pupae, which is all a Formica social parasite will usually take.
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: Formica sp
Okay, thank you. I will definitly try the stone method and see if it works.
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