Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Help with identifying the species your ants

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Odontomachi
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2019 3:06 pm
Location: Florida

Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 55383Post Odontomachi
Sun Jan 20, 2019 3:25 pm

I have been caring for this species for a few months now, yet I cant seem to identify their exact species in spite of my best efforts. I found them in Florida near Orlando. I have 3 pictures of one from the top, side, and next to the centimeter side of a ruler. They are a pretty simple looking ant. One defining characteristic I found was that they have 2 small spikes near the end of their thorax.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17N0K-qRZAP0l4HOj5cUgIhu-G6PMyIeI/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11mlLWJByJq8wcHRcTdYJYigtP_8UbrMI/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tk-0LfQApRCzf_HdrimWa2XsdMMlqDzO/view?usp=drivesdk
I do not have a picture of the queen unfortunately, however I can say she is relatively small, only maybe a little over .5 cm
All help is appreciated, thanks!

DWayneF32
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:53 pm
Location: Beattyville, Kentucky USA

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 55533Post DWayneF32
Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:58 pm

I am no expert but my best guess would be a European fire ant.

Here is a link explaining the characteristics
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2010/09/2550-antcharac.jpg

DWayneF32
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:53 pm
Location: Beattyville, Kentucky USA

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 55545Post DWayneF32
Mon Jan 28, 2019 12:46 am

DWayneF32 wrote:
Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:58 pm
I am no expert but my best guess would be a European fire ant.

Here is a link explaining the characteristics
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2010/09/2550-antcharac.jpg
Upon further research the European fire ant, shouldn’t be in Florida. So my first guess is wrong. It’s most likely the Pheidole megacephala or Big headed ant.

Ottersinverts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue May 21, 2019 10:00 pm
Location: Usa
Contact:

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 58546Post Ottersinverts
Tue May 21, 2019 10:23 pm

Odontomachi wrote:
Sun Jan 20, 2019 3:25 pm
I have been caring for this species for a few months now, yet I cant seem to identify their exact species in spite of my best efforts. I found them in Florida near Orlando. I have 3 pictures of one from the top, side, and next to the centimeter side of a ruler. They are a pretty simple looking ant. One defining characteristic I found was that they have 2 small spikes near the end of their thorax.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17N0K-qRZAP0l4HOj5cUgIhu-G6PMyIeI/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11mlLWJByJq8wcHRcTdYJYigtP_8UbrMI/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tk-0LfQApRCzf_HdrimWa2XsdMMlqDzO/view?usp=drivesdk
I do not have a picture of the queen unfortunately, however I can say she is relatively small, only maybe a little over .5 cm
All help is appreciated, thanks!
This is definitely an aphaenogaster species, and this worker appears to be aphaenogaster lamellidens.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7P9ygMnohUZtcyttLctSwA[youtube]

Species list: *soon to come*

I keep ants, and i like ants. Ive been doing it for about 7 years and it doesnt get boring.

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Aaron567
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 4:38 pm
Location: Pensacola, Florida USA

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 59498Post Aaron567
Sat Jun 15, 2019 8:02 pm

Aphaenogaster. Probably A. carolinensis because of the short propodeal spines and smooth mesosoma.

Antkidthatsalarvae
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 12, 2020 9:26 am

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 69902Post Antkidthatsalarvae
Tue May 12, 2020 9:42 am

I'm not sure but that might be atta texana

Antnerd
Posts: 29
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:20 pm
Location: New Hampshire, USA, North America, earth, our solar system, the Milky Way.

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 77526Post Antnerd
Tue May 11, 2021 2:11 pm

No I agree with Aphaenogaster since atta texana is in Texas and it would not be 5 mm it would be around
20 mm
I know things

Theantkid
Posts: 110
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 8:18 am
Location: New York

Re: Need help identifying a species of ant FL

Post: # 77768Post Theantkid
Wed May 19, 2021 6:21 pm

From the pictures I found an ant that might fit the description, which is Aphaenogaster miamiana.
Theantkid, Keeper of Formica subsericea/The Black Knights, Queen name, Black and Gold.

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