Two Queens Identification.

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LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36164Post LearningAntz
Sun May 20, 2018 5:24 pm

Hi, I found two queens this afternoon and was wondering what species they are, although genus is okay as well if it’s too difficult to tell. Thank you in advance!

1st Queen:
10mm or 1 cm
https://imgur.com/a/Uanzq3P

2nd Queen:
7-8mm
https://imgur.com/a/Klqgo6N



Oh also are they semi or fully claustral? Thanks again.

PTasker15
Posts: 309
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:41 am
Location: Houston,TX

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36170Post PTasker15
Mon May 21, 2018 7:09 am

Queen 2 Is Formica
Keeping ants for 6 years now.

Current Species: Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Camponotus decipiens,Camponotus snellingi Solenopsis invicta,Nylanderia sp,Brachmyrmex patagonicus,Pheidole obscurothorax,Pheidole moerens,Pachycondyla harpax

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36171Post Batspiderfish
Mon May 21, 2018 8:11 am

Beauties!

Queen one is Formica obscuripes, a social parasite from the rufa group. She will need about 6 Formica pupae to start a colony.

Queen two is Formica podzolica, from the fusca group. These can be told apart by their short antennal scapes and silvery gaster (up until the 3rd tergite/segment. The similar F. glacialis is only silvery to the 2nd.)
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.

LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36173Post LearningAntz
Mon May 21, 2018 10:08 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
Mon May 21, 2018 8:11 am
Beauties!

Queen one is Formica obscuripes, a social parasite from the rufa group. She will need about 6 Formica pupae to start a colony.

Queen two is Formica podzolica, from the fusca group. These can be told apart by their short antennal scapes and silvery gaster (up until the 3rd tergite/segment. The similar F. glacialis is only silvery to the 2nd.)
Thank you so much! You’re a life saver!

I’m a little new to ant keeping so it’s sort of difficult for me to differentiate between Lasius niger and say, Formica fusca.

What characteristics do each have that would allow me to differentiate? Speed, legs, etc.
I’m also wondering how do I somehow get the brood of a colony? Oh and how long would it live for before dying because I fail to provide it with some brood? Would I just feed it water, sugar water and protein until then? Thanks again! I’m so glad you helped. Have a good one. :DD

LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36183Post LearningAntz
Mon May 21, 2018 1:25 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Mon May 21, 2018 8:11 am
Beauties!

Queen one is Formica obscuripes, a social parasite from the rufa group. She will need about 6 Formica pupae to start a colony.

Queen two is Formica podzolica, from the fusca group. These can be told apart by their short antennal scapes and silvery gaster (up until the 3rd tergite/segment. The similar F. glacialis is only silvery to the 2nd.)
Sorry for the constant pestering >.>

But is it also possible to introduce 6 workers of the genus Formica?

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Batspiderfish
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Location: Maine

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36210Post Batspiderfish
Mon May 21, 2018 9:01 pm

Some people have founded Formica parasite colonies with workers, I've seen it done, but I find that unlike Lasius parasites, Formica will try to kill or drive off anything that isn't brood. Cocoons are far more ideal than the risks involved with worker introduction.
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.

LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36213Post LearningAntz
Mon May 21, 2018 9:37 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Mon May 21, 2018 9:01 pm
Some people have founded Formica parasite colonies with workers, I've seen it done, but I find that unlike Lasius parasites, Formica will try to kill or drive off anything that isn't brood. Cocoons are far more ideal than the risks involved with worker introduction.
Thanks so much! I couldn’t find brood and was worried my queen would starve since I’m going to be really busy the next few days and needed her to gain all she needs through trophallaxis so I resorted to workers. They seem to have accepted her now with their antennas touching and are okay with her in the same living space. Should I be relieved now or are they going to kill her later for some reason? Or after being accepted is it a done deal? I’m surprised she got this far since I knew there were many risks.

LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36214Post LearningAntz
Mon May 21, 2018 9:58 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Mon May 21, 2018 9:01 pm
Some people have founded Formica parasite colonies with workers, I've seen it done, but I find that unlike Lasius parasites, Formica will try to kill or drive off anything that isn't brood. Cocoons are far more ideal than the risks involved with worker introduction.
Although one worker keeps showing aggression and tries biting her at times. Should I be concerned? This is so stressful. Lol

LearningAntz
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:54 am
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta

Re: Two Queens Identification.

Post: # 36226Post LearningAntz
Tue May 22, 2018 6:19 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
Mon May 21, 2018 9:01 pm
Some people have founded Formica parasite colonies with workers, I've seen it done, but I find that unlike Lasius parasites, Formica will try to kill or drive off anything that isn't brood. Cocoons are far more ideal than the risks involved with worker introduction.
12 hours in and all seems well. I was hoping I could leave them be for a week. Is that okay? Or should I leave a foraging area with food? I was assuming the queen could get what she needs through trophallaxis. (is that possible since they’re not the same species?) The workers would need food too, but the ones in there have very full gasters.

I guess my main questions are; would leaving them in there alone for a week be okay? And what steps do I take next?

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