Post by occultus on Apr 29, 2016 23:39:01 GMT
Taxonomy:
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
- Genus: Linepithema
- Species: humile
- Binomial Nomenclature: Linepithema humile
Origin: Argentina, South America
Hibernation: No
Appearance of the queen: 4.2–6.4 millimeters
Appearance of the workers: 1.6–2.8 millimeters, light brown
Nest building: Moist soil, cracks , under rocks
and leaves
Food: Honeywater, Insects, sweet foods
Temperature: Arena: 21 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Humidity: 60 - 80% (tropical climate)
Description:
Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) workers are monomorphic, displaying no physical differentiation (Holway et al. 2002a). The workers of this species are small, medium to dark brown ants, reaching 2 to 3mm in length. Body surface is smooth and shiny and lacks hairs on the dorsum of the head and thorax. The petiole is composed of a single, scale-like segment, and sting is absent. Workers are extremely fast moving and industrious, often recruiting in high numbers.
Linepithema humile (the Argentine ant) invades sub-tropical and temperate regions and is established on six continents.
30/04/16
I have decided to start a journal on my Linepithema humile Queen. I want to observe how fast this species develops. I also want to see if multiple colonies can be created from starting with just one single queen.
I caught a Linepithema humile Queen on 28/03/16. I had her identified 11 days ago and she had a small pile of brood.
Today I was surprised to see that she now has 10 workers. They are incredibly tiny but I have managed to record them with my camera zoomed to the max.
2016-04-29_11-13-56 by che hawkins, on Flickr
The DIY nest.
2016-04-29_11-14-48 by che hawkins, on Flickr
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
- Genus: Linepithema
- Species: humile
- Binomial Nomenclature: Linepithema humile
Origin: Argentina, South America
Hibernation: No
Appearance of the queen: 4.2–6.4 millimeters
Appearance of the workers: 1.6–2.8 millimeters, light brown
Nest building: Moist soil, cracks , under rocks
and leaves
Food: Honeywater, Insects, sweet foods
Temperature: Arena: 21 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Humidity: 60 - 80% (tropical climate)
Description:
Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) workers are monomorphic, displaying no physical differentiation (Holway et al. 2002a). The workers of this species are small, medium to dark brown ants, reaching 2 to 3mm in length. Body surface is smooth and shiny and lacks hairs on the dorsum of the head and thorax. The petiole is composed of a single, scale-like segment, and sting is absent. Workers are extremely fast moving and industrious, often recruiting in high numbers.
Linepithema humile (the Argentine ant) invades sub-tropical and temperate regions and is established on six continents.
30/04/16
I have decided to start a journal on my Linepithema humile Queen. I want to observe how fast this species develops. I also want to see if multiple colonies can be created from starting with just one single queen.
I caught a Linepithema humile Queen on 28/03/16. I had her identified 11 days ago and she had a small pile of brood.
Today I was surprised to see that she now has 10 workers. They are incredibly tiny but I have managed to record them with my camera zoomed to the max.
2016-04-29_11-13-56 by che hawkins, on FlickrThe DIY nest.
2016-04-29_11-14-48 by che hawkins, on Flickr
