Identify this queen

[idahoantgirl]

Solenopsis molesta

Wait a seconded I just looked it up and Solenopsis molesta isnt native to my place in manitoba

Online resources such as ant maps are not complete. Also Native is not the same as present.

[Darkhero0987]

Solenopsis molesta

Wait a seconded I just looked it up and Solenopsis molesta isnt native to my place in manitoba

Online resources such as ant maps are not complete. Also Native is not the same as present.

Hmm well what should I do then lol

[Batspiderfish]

Solenopsis molesta

Wait a seconded I just looked it up and Solenopsis molesta isnt native to my place in manitoba

It is according to antmaps, and there's not any likely alternative.

[Darkhero0987]

Solenopsis molesta

Wait a seconded I just looked it up and Solenopsis molesta isnt native to my place in manitoba

It is according to antmaps, and there's not any likely alternative.

I am stupid I see that lol

[AntsDakota]

That thing is Solenopsis molesta? I knew that their queens came in many varieties, but black and red?

[Darkhero0987]

That thing is Solenopsis molesta? I knew that their queens came in many varieties, but black and red?

Do you not think thats what it is ?

[AntsDakota]

That thing is Solenopsis molesta? I knew that their queens came in many varieties, but black and red?

Do you not think thats what it is ?

Yeah, it probably is Solenopsis molesta, but I was just surprised at just how many different varieties they come in.

[AntsDakota]

I think that's a Tetramorium sp. queen

No definetly not. I did a little google search... possibly Monomorium algiricum? I'm not super gifted in ID's yet tho

What is it that makes you say this is not a tetramorium? Trying to learn

For one thing, Tetramorium are always a lot bigger than Solenopsis molesta. 2, Tetamorium queens are completely shiny black, while Solenopsis queens are almost always yellowish-orangeish, (or in this case, black and red). 3, Tetramorium queens have relatively smooth abdomens, as you can see stripes on that Solenopsis queen.

[Bierschneeman]

I think that's a Tetramorium sp. queen

No definetly not. I did a little google search... possibly Monomorium algiricum? I'm not super gifted in ID's yet tho

What is it that makes you say this is not a tetramorium? Trying to learn

i am very very new to ant keeping so specifics will be lost on me, but not new to taxonomy (i use taxonomy in my job, and another hobby, birdwatching) the easiest way to describe how a taxonomist makes IDs is to use the game "Guess Who" which is pretty much very similar.

that kid down the block who wasnt cheating, but was very well versed in the game and always won used a sinilar method.
1) identify the quickest to identify feature that will eliminate the most answers regardless of which answer was right.
2) color is often (not always) not something that is used effectively until you get into very narrow options, for a lot of different phyllums.
seems that way for ants, perhaps someone can enlighten me
3) these identifying features are called keys

lets apply that to Solenopsis (the only genra i know anything about. but i might still get something off).
1) count the nodes on the petioles. you can seperate most genras into two humps or one hump. (two humps)
2) 10 antennae segments... exactly
3) not pyramid head shaped (Pyrmica)
4) absence of petiole spines
5) only two segments in antennael club is a very defining feature that seperates Solenopsis from around 10 generas at this point.

which Solenopsis you would just keep going, counting Cypeal teeth, identifying petiole process, counting mandible teeth, et cetera
(geminata for instance, has no mandible teeth and the mandibles are all black, the vertex on head is very deep, and shorter antennae scope.)

again, i am brand new to this, i could have gotten specifics wrong.i was commenting not as an expert on ants, but someone who knows a lot about taxonomy.
i am trying to learn and i have been hyperfocusing on Solenopsis because i caught so many potentially Solenopsis. thats why i have Solenopsis keys on hand. so dont ask me about other generas.

[nbro444]

That looks nothing like a molesta