Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
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Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
I have 2 different species of Ant Queens that I would like identified if anyone could help! These are photos of the first species, about 11mm in length, very feisty. Also she is dark brown in color with a lighter colored head.
This is the second species. They all seem to want to pull on the cotton, one photo is one we caught still with wings, the rest have pulled theirs off already. They are a goldish auburn color, some a little more brown. about 9-10mm in length. They have all been relatively calm since put in the test tubes.
This is the second species. They all seem to want to pull on the cotton, one photo is one we caught still with wings, the rest have pulled theirs off already. They are a goldish auburn color, some a little more brown. about 9-10mm in length. They have all been relatively calm since put in the test tubes.
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Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
I just caught one today in northern Ohio and it looks quite a bit like your second species. I have no idea what it is, this is my first ant too and I posted asking for ID help too. Mine is only 1.5 millimeters, but if you get an answer for it I think it’ll be the same for mine. How did you get the pictures in the post?
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
The first queen is Lasius latipes, a social parasite.
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
The other ants are claustral Lasius, but cannot be identified to the species without a close enough view of the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles. The coloration of the queen labelled 13 suggests Lasius nearcticus or Lasius brevicornis (formerly Lasius flavus) but we would need to be able to see the above-mentioned details to differentiate them from Lasius neoniger, Lasius pallitarsis, or Lasius americanus. If she is from the flavus group, then only microscopic examination of the maxillary palps can determine the species.
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
The other ants are claustral Lasius, but cannot be identified to the species without a close enough view of the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles. The coloration of the queen labelled 13 suggests Lasius nearcticus or Lasius brevicornis (formerly Lasius flavus) but we would need to be able to see the above-mentioned details to differentiate them from Lasius neoniger, Lasius pallitarsis, or Lasius americanus. If she is from the flavus group, then only microscopic examination of the maxillary palps can determine the species.
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: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
They have a YouTube link that shows you how to add photos to your posts.Ninjamuffin52 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 18, 2018 11:11 pmI just caught one today in northern Ohio and it looks quite a bit like your second species. I have no idea what it is, this is my first ant too and I posted asking for ID help too. Mine is only 1.5 millimeters, but if you get an answer for it I think it’ll be the same for mine. How did you get the pictures in the post?
New Ant Lover! Can’t wait to watch my colony grow
Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
How did you identify queen 1? I’m just curious so I know what I’m looking for!Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:02 amThe first queen is Lasius latipes, a social parasite.
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
The other ants are claustral Lasius, but cannot be identified to the species without a close enough view of the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles. The coloration of the queen labelled 13 suggests Lasius nearcticus or Lasius brevicornis (formerly Lasius flavus) but we would need to be able to see the above-mentioned details to differentiate them from Lasius neoniger, Lasius pallitarsis, or Lasius americanus. If she is from the flavus group, then only microscopic examination of the maxillary palps can determine the species.
New Ant Lover! Can’t wait to watch my colony grow
Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
Queen 1 looks like ponera
Keeper of :
Camponotus albosparsus x2
Camponotus Irritans
Hoping for pheidole colony
Camponotus albosparsus x2
Camponotus Irritans
Hoping for pheidole colony
Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:02 amThe first queen is Lasius latipes, a social parasite.
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
The other ants are claustral Lasius, but cannot be identified to the species without a close enough view of the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles. The coloration of the queen labelled 13 suggests Lasius nearcticus or Lasius brevicornis (formerly Lasius flavus) but we would need to be able to see the above-mentioned details to differentiate them from Lasius neoniger, Lasius pallitarsis, or Lasius americanus. If she is from the flavus group, then only microscopic examination of the maxillary palps can determine the species.
Here is a close up of the head of species 2. This is the closest I could get to focus.
New Ant Lover! Can’t wait to watch my colony grow
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
From what I can tell, there are no erect hairs on the antennal scapes, which would probably make this from the flavus group.
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: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
Social parasites from the Acanthomyops subgenus of Lasius are usually pretty distinct. Lasius latipes almost looks like an ant crossed with a lobster.
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: Metro-Detroit, Michigan August 17, 2018
Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:51 pmFrom what I can tell, there are no erect hairs on the antennal scapes, which would probably make this from the flavus group.
A friend of mine thought this might have been a winter ant? Do you think that’s a possibility?
New Ant Lover! Can’t wait to watch my colony grow
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