Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

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Bierschneeman
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:11 pm
Location: louisiana

Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 49922Post Bierschneeman
Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:42 pm

Not captive.

I found this walking today,
I saw these deep red ants next to a pyramid, but the pyramid was not their nest, but next to it.

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis.
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Don't worry, she is refrigerated.
once she became active I recollected her, and went back to replace her, and snapped a picture of the nest.
So some quick reading, This is actually a common species here, (ohh well) but a very beneficial one, found in a wide variety of habitats.
This habitat is the oldest building in the city, (1840s) with an absolutely lush vegetative yard. This yard features a lot of old, very loved plants. Lots of bare dirt covered in rich silt, and leaf litter. NOT A BLADE OF GRASS, these guys clearly like ground cover and disdain the fertilizer requiring grass lawn. and is the place I have found several species, including the Tapinoma sessile super colony on moving day. (I can only look from the sidewalk, I don't know the owner.)

This small colony won't get very big, as this species is supposed to be a fungus grower related to the leaf cutter. In fact often put in the same tribe. But these guys do it on a much smaller scale. Instead of defoliating entire orchards, they harvest insect poop, bird poop, and decomposing leaf litter.
This is also a small colony, even for the species.
Here is their crescent pyramid/ziggurat , Just up from it you can see the nest hole. very discreet. That black dot.
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Founding:
3 Solenopsis I/X
5 Tapinoma sessile
1 Nylanderia terricola/vivulda

Colonies:
1 Brachymyrmex patagonicus
1 Pheidole soritis
1 Tapinoma sessile

The difference between a hobby and a scientific pursuit, is detailed notes.

Bierschneeman
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:11 pm
Location: louisiana

Re: Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 49923Post Bierschneeman
Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:45 pm

There are two ants in the nest picture.
one is a bright red (slight blur), the other is more burgundy (just the head poking out of the nest.)
I would have tried to get a better picture, but I don't want to loiter next to someones house, I can try and get a picture after work (on route) one day next week (rain all this week) If you guys want.
Founding:
3 Solenopsis I/X
5 Tapinoma sessile
1 Nylanderia terricola/vivulda

Colonies:
1 Brachymyrmex patagonicus
1 Pheidole soritis
1 Tapinoma sessile

The difference between a hobby and a scientific pursuit, is detailed notes.

Bierschneeman
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:11 pm
Location: louisiana

Re: Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 49924Post Bierschneeman
Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:49 pm

Ohh, here is their closest neighbors.
without checking under microscope, or with a macro lens. I'd guess some sort or Monomorium.

I only mention this because it is 5 inches downhill from the ziggurat.
Image
Founding:
3 Solenopsis I/X
5 Tapinoma sessile
1 Nylanderia terricola/vivulda

Colonies:
1 Brachymyrmex patagonicus
1 Pheidole soritis
1 Tapinoma sessile

The difference between a hobby and a scientific pursuit, is detailed notes.

Bierschneeman
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:11 pm
Location: louisiana

Re: Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 51303Post Bierschneeman
Sun Sep 23, 2018 8:37 pm

Now I know what I am looking for, these are ridiculously abundant.
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At work, Any house that prefers moss and ground cover over traditional grass lawn, and every two feet ON THE PATH through the woods.

Here is a swarm cutting up....(I assume a dead insect)
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Founding:
3 Solenopsis I/X
5 Tapinoma sessile
1 Nylanderia terricola/vivulda

Colonies:
1 Brachymyrmex patagonicus
1 Pheidole soritis
1 Tapinoma sessile

The difference between a hobby and a scientific pursuit, is detailed notes.

AntsDakota
Posts: 1283
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:22 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 51645Post AntsDakota
Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:50 pm

Hope you find a queen of that species. That would be cool.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

AntsDakota
Posts: 1283
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:22 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Fungus growing species, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Post: # 51646Post AntsDakota
Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:51 pm

I should clarify. I hope you catch a queen of that species. I've found plenty of queens that got away. :(
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

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