Question about Ontarian Ants

[AmateurAnt]

Hello, I've only just started becoming interested in starting an Ant colony and I've had some questions about the ants around the south-western Ontario ants. Now, most species around here aren't active yet, yes. However, I noticed last year that some of the local harvester ants are quite large and could easily be mistaken for a queen ant without her wings! Anyone have some tips for differentiating between these and other ants? Or am I just going to have to pounce on every above average ant I see? Thanks in advance!

[Martialis]

Look at the thorax/mesosoma. Workers have a much thinner mesosoma than that of a queen.

From AntWiki:

You can easily see the size of the mesosoma in this picture.


This, on the other hand, is a worker.

[AmateurAnt]

I see! Thanks!

[Canadiananter]

Those are in fact Camponotus pennsylvanicus. The largest harvesters in Ontario are Aphaenogaster lamellidens, my favourite species

[Martialis]

Those are in fact Camponotus pennsylvanicus. The largest harvesters in Ontario are Aphaenogaster lamellidens, my favourite species

Yep. They are.