Queen Ant ID help

[DennyB]

Hi ACF, I found a bunch of the below type Queens here in Western Canada, some have laid eggs some have not, I didn't want to disturb the Queens that have so I took pics of the one that hadn't laid any yet. Could someone please confirm this Ant species? She is 8mm.

[AntsLuxembourg]

Could you please tell us if they all look basicly the same? Like are the colours the same and the sizes and such?

[DennyB]

Could you please tell us if they all look basicly the same? Like are the colours the same and the sizes and such?

Yep they are identical in color and size; solid black and 8mm's long. They were all caught in the same area.

[TheRealAntMan]

Formica Subsericea.

[DennyB]

Formica Subsericea.

Oh really TheRealAntMan, thanks so much!!

[DennyB]

Hi ACF again, I also found a couple of these at work, can someone please ID? They're 10mm long. The long gaster, does that mean male?

Thanks.

[Batspiderfish]

I'm not so sure about Formica subsericea for the first queen, but yes, the second ant is a Formica male. You can see the claspers at the tip of his gaster.

[DennyB]

I'm not so sure about Formica subsericea for the first queen, but yes, the second ant is a Formica male. You can see the claspers at the tip of his gaster.

Ya ok jeez found three in the same area, wonder where the queens are? Thanks! What do you think the above queen is?

[Batspiderfish]

Ya ok jeez found three in the same area, wonder where the queens are? Thanks! What do you think the above queen is?

We'd need a clear, well-lit image of the gaster and one of the queen's face to ID fusca-group Formica.

[DennyB]

Ya ok jeez found three in the same area, wonder where the queens are? Thanks! What do you think the above queen is?

We'd need a clear, well-lit image of the gaster and one of the queen's face to ID fusca-group Formica.

Ok I'll try for a better pic tonight. Thanks again.