Help me identify this queen!

[DrMill]

Hey guys, I'm a beginner in the world of ant keeping and was wondering if you could help me identify this queen ant I caught today during a nuptial flight. I cuaght this queen in Perth, Western Australia after a rain storm in my backyard. I saw her on my bath towl.

She's about 10mm or 1cm in length, black with orange type stripes on her gaster and large domed shaped thorax.

Here are the best pictures I could take of her. If you want to see more, let me know.

[Martialis]

I'd say Iridomyrmex, though we need much better pictures.

[shaky33]

I'd say Iridomyrmex, though we need much better pictures.

Yep, looks very much like Iridomyrmex sp.. Would need closer pictures to confirm and then to distinguish the species.

[DrMill]

I'd say Iridomyrmex, though we need much better pictures.

Yep, looks very much like Iridomyrmex sp.. Would need closer pictures to confirm and then to distinguish the species.

Thanks for the reply guys. I do beilive myself that she is a iridomyrmex queen. Unfortunately my camera has really bad zoom focus, this is the best photo I can take. Keep in mind that she is about a cm in length.



She looks very much the same as this iridomyrmex queen:



Also last question, would she be claustal? Thanks for the help guys!

[shaky33]

I'd say Iridomyrmex, though we need much better pictures.

Yep, looks very much like Iridomyrmex sp.. Would need closer pictures to confirm and then to distinguish the species.

Thanks for the reply guys. I do beilive myself that she is a iridomyrmex queen. Unfortunately my camera has really bad zoom focus, this is the best photo I can take. Keep in mind that she is about a cm in length.



She looks very much the same as this iridomyrmex queen:



Also last question, would she be claustal? Thanks for the help guys!

She is definitely fully claustral. Just by looking at her mesosoma you can tell she is. Best advice is to leave her in a dark area and not touch her for a couple of months. I have a couple of Iridomyrmex queens in founding right now.

Best of luck!

[DrMill]

She is definitely fully claustral. Just by looking at her mesosoma you can tell she is. Best advice is to leave her in a dark area and not touch her for a couple of months. I have a couple of Iridomyrmex queens in founding right now.

Best of luck!

Thanks for all the help, she is kept safe in the dark! Also best of luck with your queens!