Need an ID on this ant please

[warhawk373]

My guess is that it's a worker but it was getting dark so I just picked it up just in-case. It was about 1-2mm longer than the ants in the proximity. I found it while it was dragging another ant the same size as itself out of its nest but the ant it was dragging had no head! crazy!

Location: Western Kentucky USA
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Environment: Heavily wooded area
Nest Location: In the dirt, specifically near the roots of a tree
Length: About 9mm from end of gaster to end of head (so not including the legs and antennas)

[JackPayne]

It seems to have a decently large gaster, could be a queen. I'm not sure about the species however.

[warhawk373]

It seems to have a decently large gaster, could be a queen. I'm not sure about the species however.

When comparing the gaster to the rest of the body though it's fairly small for a queen, at least that was my observation

[JackPayne]

It seems to have a decently large gaster, could be a queen. I'm not sure about the species however.

When comparing the gaster to the rest of the body though it's fairly small for a queen, at least that was my observation

I'm tempted to say if it is a queen, it is a semi-claustral species.

[warhawk373]

After some research I think its a camponotus castaneus worker. The queen of that species looks much darker and has a bigger thorax but the worker looks exactly like that. If anyone can confirm or disprove that it would be appreciated.

http://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Camponotus_castaneus

[Phoenix]

[Camponotus] Worker

[Martialis]

After some research I think its a camponotus castaneus worker. The queen of that species looks much darker and has a bigger thorax but the worker looks exactly like that. If anyone can confirm or disprove that it would be appreciated.

http://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Camponotus_castaneus

You hit the nail on the head. A Camponotus castaneus worker is exactly what this is.

[Canadiananter]

I would say Camponotus castaneus or perhaps Formica pallidefulva/incerta. A side view would be quite helpful. It is definitely a worker though

[xTNxANTMANx]

I caught one of these the other night thinking a possible queen but soon as I seen it from the side in my test tube I knew right away it wasn't. I knew it was a Camponotus sp buy didn't know for sure what kind...now I do