help identifying queens and what to do.

[CabboAntsGuy]

Ok, couldn't get the pictures to work for some reason. Sorry, I know that's one of the priorities, but I don't know how to get it to work. Again, sorry. But I can describe them. I live in the U.S. in Wisconsin. These two ants were both caught on Aug 7th. They have a round gaster that is more of circle than a long one. They have rather small heads that are the smallest area of their body. One has wings the other does not. They are both a centimeter long. neither have laid eggs yet. I think they are formica fusca, but the only ants I have experience with are camponotus pennsylvanicus.

So if they are fusca, what do I need to do to take care of them? Are the fully clausteral? how long do the eggs take to hatch into workers? I just don't know anything else besides carpenter ants. If anyone knows both types and could compare them, that would be extremely helpful.

[mediapimp]

Not sure how to post pictures in here, have never tried. But you could always just upload them somewhere and post links.

But yeah, without seeing pictures, it's hard to say what it is. From your description, it kinda sounds like it could be some type of Formica, but hard to say what kind. What color is it, what kind of area did you find it in?
If it is something along the lines of Formica fusca, then care for them is pretty much like most ants. Leave them in a test tube setup till they have 15+ workers(Next year probably), I like to use a test tube/portal setup for easy feeding and small expansions. Don't bother them much till they have at least two workers(about 4 weeks) and they seem restless, then give them a little drop of honey or some carbs like that, then maybe a cricket leg or two til l you start having more and more workers. Then up how much you feed them, just watch how much they eat to get an idea of how often to feed. A lot of Formica tend to aphids, and really like sweets, along with dead small insects.

If you can get some pictures up, we might be able to narrow the species down to better tell you what you have. But if you are sure they are in the fusca group, then this page might help a bit. https://www.antkeeping.wiki/Formica_fusca

[Hawkeye]

Ok, couldn't get the pictures to work for some reason. Sorry, I know that's one of the priorities, but I don't know how to get it to work. Again, sorry. But I can describe them. I live in the U.S. in Wisconsin. These two ants were both caught on Aug 7th. They have a round gaster that is more of circle than a long one. They have rather small heads that are the smallest area of their body. One has wings the other does not. They are both a centimeter long. neither have laid eggs yet. I think they are formica fusca, but the only ants I have experience with are camponotus pennsylvanicus.

So if they are fusca, what do I need to do to take care of them? Are the fully clausteral? how long do the eggs take to hatch into workers? I just don't know anything else besides carpenter ants. If anyone knows both types and could compare them, that would be extremely helpful.

Get yourself a free imgur account and use the direct link. Then when you write a message, click on the image icon (sun over the mountain) and place the link in between the tags which appear. [ img] link [ / img]


Also check https://antwiki.org/wiki/United_States to help you identify the queen?

[CabboAntsGuy]

Thank you both for the help. The queens are both solid black, with light bands around their gaster. The have long antenna and average legs which are both black as well.

I’m really clueless to what they are. Looking at your page Hawkeye, maybe they aren’t fusca. I don’t know. Thank you for the help.

-Cabbo

[Hawkeye]

Thank you both for the help. The queens are both solid black, with light bands around their gaster. The have long antenna and average legs which are both black as well.

I’m really clueless to what they are. Looking at your page Hawkeye, maybe they aren’t fusca. I don’t know. Thank you for the help.

-Cabbo

Not my page hahaha

[CabboAntsGuy]

Just meant the page you told me about.