Tiny black queen

[Gardener]

This is the only one of its kind I have found. It's been in captivity for about two weeks. I found it in Rhode Island. There is a mm ruler in the photo for scale.

My guess is Formica because of the position of the eyes. Any guesses from the experienced ant ppl?

https://imgur.com/a/mevcVjr

[SYUTEO]

Monomorium sp, Formica queens don't have two petiole nodes, only Myrmicinae ants have two. Formica is a Formicinae ant.

[Gardener]

Hey SYUTEO,

So I took a closer look at this ant.The initial post doesn't show much detail and there is what I believe a critical piece missing that can help identify the ant.

The original pic does, as you said, have the postpetiole node --- but it does not reveal what I think is a propodeal spine. When I took the original and cropped it, you can now see in this link: https://imgur.com/a/82d1vaK

So, I have this book that tells me that tiny ants without a propodeal spine but with two petiole nodes, it would be Monomorium (or local native Solenopsis).

But with the visible propodeal spine now I'm guessing this is Stenamma species. And I'll be so bold as to guess it's a Stenamma brevicorne based on its size!!

The book is called Field Guide to the Ants of New England by Yale Press.. I'm absolutely loosing my mind.

[SYUTEO]

From all the information you have, I believe it's either Temnothorax or Myrmecina.