I was at work yesterday and noticed this queen wandering around inside of my wheelbarrow. I had picked up a bunch of gravel off the pavement.
I was thinking Solenopsis but the imported fire ants don't generally do their flights in July, and being I'm in Ohio it wouldn't make much sense for there to be southern fire ants. (Unless one miraculously made it's way up here)
She also occasionally walks around the test tube pulling at cotton.
Very amazing queen, and I've never seen one like her around my area so I'm kind of confused as to what species she is. I'm in the southern Ohio region.
Red/Black Queen Ant ID
Moderators: ooper01, Trusted User
Re: Red/Black Queen Ant ID
Images:
(Sorry couldn't get them to work earlier)
https://imgur.com/X69p9ao
https://imgur.com/1OGJPX5
https://imgur.com/1F3Ozkf
(Sorry couldn't get them to work earlier)
https://imgur.com/X69p9ao
https://imgur.com/1OGJPX5
https://imgur.com/1F3Ozkf
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Red/Black Queen Ant ID
A Formica social parasite. She will need 6-10 Formica worker pupae to start a colony.
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.
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Red/Black Queen Ant ID
Actually, she may just be from the pallidefulva group, but it's somewhat hard to see her in the pictures.
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: Red/Black Queen Ant ID
Apologies for the bad quality pictures, my phone is terrible. I'll give it a few days to see if she does any egg laying. In the mean time I'll see if I can find some Formica pupae. Thanks for your help!
Re: Red/Black Queen Ant ID
Higher quality pictures taken from a better phone:
https://imgur.com/JbIBx0l
https://imgur.com/S78zPRs
https://imgur.com/ha90quR
The social parasite theory makes sense and would explain why she would be consistently moving about the tube instead of staying in place.
https://imgur.com/JbIBx0l
https://imgur.com/S78zPRs
https://imgur.com/ha90quR
The social parasite theory makes sense and would explain why she would be consistently moving about the tube instead of staying in place.
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