First time

[Skorillo]

Hello my friends

This is my first attempt ever to hunt and care for a queen, but i am not sure IF it is a queen and what species.

Please help me out here

Size: 8-9mm
When: 31/05/2023 12:30
Where: Darza, Romania - small village
Appearance: She is brown/black with redish areas. I dont know how to describe her otherwise
Behaviour: She was agitated at first, now is calm. I didnt put her in a test tube yet.





Thank you in advance

[Antloverhuman]

She looks like formica rufa queen but i have heard they are illegal to keep in some places as they are endangered so you might have to research a bit

[SYUTEO]

That is definitely a Formica queen, in the F. rufa group. Most of these are social parasites and are also endangered and illegal to keep.

[Skorillo]

First of all, Thank you guys foe the replies.

I did some research after your answers and could not find any restrictions about Rufa in Romania, but also reading about their parasitic habits, as a first timer, i think it would be too much for me, therefore i will release her.

I consider it as a win though, because i managed to identify a queen )

Once again, thank you