Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Help with identifying the species your ants

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NKantsalberta
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Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40006Post NKantsalberta
Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:19 pm

Found this winged alate climbing up my wall. Dark red head and thorax reddish black gastor. About one cm long. There was a golden orange winged ant in my house earlier today, possibly a male of this species? I have only seen one of each today, could these be last years? Or is it just a sporatic flight for this species? Any help in identifying the species would be much appreciated! Also, is she fully or semi claustral, and I hope she is not a parasite queen... :shock: :oops:

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Batspiderfish
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40008Post Batspiderfish
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:34 am

We would need to see the front of the head.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

NKantsalberta
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40084Post NKantsalberta
Fri Jul 06, 2018 1:00 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:34 am
We would need to see the front of the head.
The best shot I could get...

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GAN farmer for Edmonton and area, Alberta, Canada.

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Batspiderfish
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40110Post Batspiderfish
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:00 pm

I couldn't tell which species she is by the pictures, but definitely a social parasite. As long as she is not one of the dependent raiding species from the sanguinea group (she would have a hairlip-like notch on her clypeus) then it should be relatively easy to keep her, so far as social parasites go. Formica are able to open cocoons, which this queen would only need about 6.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

AntsDakota
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40122Post AntsDakota
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:27 pm

I hope I could find a Formica social parasite. S.D. has plenty of species, including F. dakotensis. (Would especially like to keep that one.)
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

NKantsalberta
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 40150Post NKantsalberta
Fri Jul 06, 2018 6:12 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:00 pm
I couldn't tell which species she is by the pictures, but definitely a social parasite. As long as she is not one of the dependent raiding species from the sanguinea group (she would have a hairlip-like notch on her clypeus) then it should be relatively easy to keep her, so far as social parasites go. Formica are able to open cocoons, which this queen would only need about 6.
Thank you for your input! I will attempt to keep her and see what happens
GAN farmer for Edmonton and area, Alberta, Canada.

Facebook/Instagram : @NKantsalberta

Alberta Keeper's FB Group : Alberta Ant Keepers and Enthusiasts

NKantsalberta
Posts: 182
Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 6:48 pm
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta
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Re: Formica Sp or Obscuripes?

Post: # 41651Post NKantsalberta
Wed Jul 18, 2018 2:42 pm

NKantsalberta wrote:
Fri Jul 06, 2018 6:12 pm
Batspiderfish wrote:
Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:00 pm
I couldn't tell which species she is by the pictures, but definitely a social parasite. As long as she is not one of the dependent raiding species from the sanguinea group (she would have a hairlip-like notch on her clypeus) then it should be relatively easy to keep her, so far as social parasites go. Formica are able to open cocoons, which this queen would only need about 6.
Thank you for your input! I will attempt to keep her and see what happens
Unfortunately this queen passed while I was away on vacation, no pupae were opened either :(
GAN farmer for Edmonton and area, Alberta, Canada.

Facebook/Instagram : @NKantsalberta

Alberta Keeper's FB Group : Alberta Ant Keepers and Enthusiasts

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