Hey everyone, AC got me really excited about keeping ants, so this year i have been out hunting for queens to start my own colonies!
I already caught quite a lot of queens, but some help with the ID might be nice.
Pictures are at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n8oupw238900ufz/AAAsMEm7Q0pUbg2gU9BRPHAYa?dl=0
I highly suspect the first queen to be Lasius niger. I caught her (and alot of others of the same species) during a big nuptial flight about 2 weeks ago in my garden. She is a solid 10mm long
I'm pretty clueless about the second queen though... I caught her alone running on a sandy open spot in the forest just 2 days ago. She is around 8mm long and i'm pretty sure she has a stinger
Any help is appreciated and i hope the pictures are clear enough.... especially that second queen is very mobile so hard to get a clear shot
Thanks!
Queens ID Netherlands
Moderator: ooper01
Queens ID Netherlands
First year of antkeeping, already enjoying it!
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: Queens ID Netherlands
Queen 2 is a Lasius social parasite from the umbratus group.
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/
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.
Re: Queens ID Netherlands
Thank you very much for the help and the extra information!
I will capture some niger workers and give them to her... Do i need to give her/her workers some food as well or will she feed the host workers?
I will capture some niger workers and give them to her... Do i need to give her/her workers some food as well or will she feed the host workers?
First year of antkeeping, already enjoying it!
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 161 guests