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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2010 22:21:28 GMT 1
I sorely miss my digital camera but I'll do my best to describe this species. I saw several ants that did not seem to belong but they weren't being attacked, they had very slim bodies and very large heads with strong jaws. Is it possible I captured two co-mingling species?
Found in south Georgia, US Black in color Has a soldier caste found beneath rotting bark (not carpenters, too small)
If anyone can think of any more specific questions please let me know. I'm really new to this, I can't seem to find any good resources for identification of species in my area.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 1:25:02 GMT 1
I suffered for science, I allowed one to bite me and determined that I have fire ants. The welt on my pinky can attest to that. Oh well, I'm not an ant racist so I'll keep them. Wish me luck with my vicious little brood.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 1:50:34 GMT 1
Next time you handle fire ants or any ants with large jaws wear some protective clothing/gear.
Anyway Good luck with them lol :] I hope your pinky get better soon!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 2:24:16 GMT 1
Of course, although I swear these are pacifist fire ants. They hardly mount defensive reactions when I'm poking around their enclosure. I'm still wondering about the ants with slim abdomens and large heads that I noticed yesterday. I haven't seen any since but I swear I saw them walking alongside soldier fire ants without harassment. Anyone have any thoughts on what they might be?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 11:55:30 GMT 1
The other ants could have been taken from another nest when they were brood and as they were young they were accepted by the colony. I wasnt aware fire ants were slave-raiders but they might have just taken a few brood and kept them.
Some one on this forum was able to get a lasius niger colony to accept some messor barbarus brood
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 14:48:37 GMT 1
I've sent an email to a a biologist in Arizona, maybe they might be able to help. I saw several of those large headed ants today but I wasn't able to capture one in a plastic jar for a closer look, they are significantly faster than their fire ant masters. Have you ever heard of Solenopsis Invicta taking slaves Myrm?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 18:50:02 GMT 1
I never heard of any Solenopsis species taking slaves. Some species do have major castes but it sounds like you might be seeing a Pheidole species. They are known for having very large majors compared to the minors. It would really help if you could get a picture though.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 18:59:40 GMT 1
I know, my girlfriend has a camera but the macro is poor. I am quite sure these are S. Invicta, the have the coloration and the bite. I don't have the optics to count the antennae segments though. I'll ask around and see if anyone I know has a camera with good macro.
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