Bit by an alate?

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dinoman9877
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Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11552Post dinoman9877
Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:08 am

Earlier today, I got into my car to head to my classes when I noticed I had a winged hitchhiker. Now the thing was small, and flying around quickly, and I didn't get a good chance to look at it because, well, watch the road, not the bug.

It looked an awful lot like an ant though, and I think it was a male, could have sworn I saw a thin abdomen. He was trying to use me as a landing pad so I shook and swatted. A few minutes later, I felt an itch below my wrist and, lo and behold, I had a bug bite.

So do even the alates bite if they feel threatened?

Jacco2010

Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11561Post Jacco2010
Tue Sep 20, 2016 7:08 am

dinoman9877 wrote:Earlier today, I got into my car to head to my classes when I noticed I had a winged hitchhiker. Now the thing was small, and flying around quickly, and I didn't get a good chance to look at it because, well, watch the road, not the bug.

It looked an awful lot like an ant though, and I think it was a male, could have sworn I saw a thin abdomen. He was trying to use me as a landing pad so I shook and swatted. A few minutes later, I felt an itch below my wrist and, lo and behold, I had a bug bite.

So do even the alates bite if they feel threatened?
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Batspiderfish
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11563Post Batspiderfish
Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:38 am

You're thinking about a sting, in the case of an ant/wasp, and a bite in the case of a fly. Male ants can do neither.
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Martialis
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11566Post Martialis
Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:15 am

Batspiderfish wrote:You're thinking about a sting, in the case of an ant/wasp, and a bite in the case of a fly. Male ants can do neither.
Most of the time. My crematogaster queen bit me.
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Batspiderfish
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11567Post Batspiderfish
Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:26 am

Yeah, ants can bite, but unless it is a leaf-cutter/Camponotus major or Polyergus, a bite is barely going to be noticeable. A sting is what would leave a mark like that.
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.

Martialis
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11576Post Martialis
Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:23 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:Yeah, ants can bite, but unless it is a leaf-cutter/Camponotus major or Polyergus, a bite is barely going to be noticeable. A sting is what would leave a mark like that.
To me, I barely notice Camponotus bites. They tickle. :lol:
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dinoman9877
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Location: Covington, Kentucky

Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 11577Post dinoman9877
Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:24 pm

I think I'd know if I've been stung. I mean it was like a mosquito bite, just an itchiness that made itself known after a bit. But there was no mosquitos, just this little thing that looked awfully like an ant.

AntsDakota
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 36883Post AntsDakota
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:49 pm

dinoman9877 wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:08 am
Earlier today, I got into my car to head to my classes when I noticed I had a winged hitchhiker. Now the thing was small, and flying around quickly, and I didn't get a good chance to look at it because, well, watch the road, not the bug.

It looked an awful lot like an ant though, and I think it was a male, could have sworn I saw a thin abdomen. He was trying to use me as a landing pad so I shook and swatted. A few minutes later, I felt an itch below my wrist and, lo and behold, I had a bug bite.

So do even the alates bite if they feel threatened?
My Camponotus queen bit me and.... Owwwwww
"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

AntsDakota
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 37194Post AntsDakota
Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:38 pm

Martialis wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:23 pm
Batspiderfish wrote:Yeah, ants can bite, but unless it is a leaf-cutter/Camponotus major or Polyergus, a bite is barely going to be noticeable. A sting is what would leave a mark like that.
To me, I barely notice Camponotus bites. They tickle. :lol:
Camponotus pennsylvanicus bites hurt, and the other Camponotus species around my house just tickles.
"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

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antnest8
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Re: Bit by an alate?

Post: # 37573Post antnest8
Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:33 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:26 am
Yeah, ants can bite, but unless it is a leaf-cutter/Camponotus major or Polyergus, a bite is barely going to be noticeable.
When i went to coasta rica 3 years ago i accidentally stepped on a leaf cutter trail. A median bit me and when i looked down i had a nice sizable cut on my toe
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