Queen in NY, 9/18

[TMcG98]

http://imgur.com/a/K6nQ1

A link to an album of some of the pictures I took of one of many (queens?) I saw today.

So I had a few questions on this ant.

1) Is this a queen, or a male?
2) What is the species?

As stated in the title, the ant photographed was seen today, 9/18, in New York, and more specifically, Rockland County. The ant was also by no means large, but I cannot 100% accurately measure her at the moment. I measured her to be about half an inch, maybe a bit under at .4 inches. Sorry, the only ruler I have on hand only has inches.. It's outdated, I know, but hopefully this information helped! Thank you in advance!

PS to any fellow ant enthusiasts in New York at the moment, I saw loads of queens out and about, go get em! Also, this is my first queen I'm attempting to raise, so feel free to give me ANY advice! I've seen almost all videos about ant keeping, but sometimes a quick video isn't enough, I would love some personal tips! Thanks!

[Batspiderfish]

Lasius neoniger

[TMcG98]

Lasius neoniger

Thanks a bunch! Any tips or things to know about these in particular?

[idahoantgirl]

Lasius neoniger

Thanks a bunch! Any tips or things to know about these in particular?

I raised this species, and it is very important for you to know that she WILL NOT LAY EGGS UNTIL AFTER HIBERNATION. This is very important because a lot of people think that their lasius neoniger queens are infertile and throw them out. Once she starts laying eggs it will be about two months before the first nanitics arrive. they are pretty slow growing, but they are a very good beginner species. She was the first species I kept, and it made me so appreciative of how fast my tetramorium colony grows. (workers in a month from capture.) Unfortunately, My lasius neoniger queen died because on a day I was stupid. I left her in the sun accidentally and she died.

So, I here is a little time line.

Sept 9-- caught the queen.
February 25 ish--out of hibernation
March 3-- first eggs
June 1-- first nanitic
June 12-- second nanitic
June 20-- third and fourth nanitic
June 28-- fifth and sixth nanitic
July 9-- twelfth nanitic ( I went on vacation during that time so i don't know the individual eclosing dates of each ant)
July 13-- 13 workers. this day they died.

[TMcG98]

Lasius neoniger

Thanks a bunch! Any tips or things to know about these in particular?

I raised this species, and it is very important for you to know that she WILL NOT LAY EGGS UNTIL AFTER HIBERNATION. This is very important because a lot of people think that their lasius neoniger queens are infertile and throw them out. Once she starts laying eggs it will be about two months before the first nanitics arrive. they are pretty slow growing, but they are a very good beginner species. She was the first species I kept, and it made me so appreciative of how fast my tetramorium colony grows. (workers in a month from capture.) Unfortunately, My lasius neoniger queen died because on a day I was stupid. I left her in the sun accidentally and she died.

So, I here is a little time line.

Sept 9-- caught the queen.
February 25 ish--out of hibernation
March 3-- first eggs
June 1-- first nanitic
June 12-- second nanitic
June 20-- third and fourth nanitic
June 28-- fifth and sixth nanitic
July 9-- twelfth nanitic ( I went on vacation during that time so i don't know the individual eclosing dates of each ant)
July 13-- 13 workers. this day they died.

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to stay patient, as well as to avoid turning my ants into raisins. All jokes aside, that sucks! I would be totally bummed if my queen didn't make it, but at least you learned from it. Hopefully this queen can one day have a flourishing colony. Again, thank you so much. If you want to PM me your tetramorium colony feel free! I love taking a look at other people's colonies. I guess I am a sucker for being jealous!