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Post by Wood~Ant on May 7, 2014 8:17:24 GMT
This photo shows a group of Formica ants; but which one is the odd one out and why? Post your answers on this topic please. There are no prizes as it's just for fun to test your knowledge.
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Post by Miles on May 7, 2014 14:43:00 GMT
The dealate queen in the center of the photo is a social parasite. Naturally, socially parasitic queens invade other nests of the same genus or target species, under the guise of pheromones. These parasitic queens kill the parent queen of the nest, and trick the workers into thinking that she is her queen. They then help produce the brood of the species of the parasitic queen.
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 7, 2014 14:48:14 GMT
Spot on Miles, the queen is in fact a Formica sanguinea with probably F. fusca slave workers. The brood I imagine is all hers looking at the photo.
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 7, 2014 15:15:25 GMT
The ant at the top is a Myrmica, and the one under it is a Formica. Apart from the obvious difference in colour, what makes these 2 ant genera stand out from each which cannot be seen from the photo?
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Post by michaelofvancouver on Jul 29, 2014 5:47:53 GMT
Formica have one petiole node but Myrmica have 2? Although you can see that from the photo.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 29, 2014 6:41:41 GMT
Formica have one petiole node but Myrmica have 2? Although you can see that from the photo. Quite correct Michael, but it is something that cannot be seen yet is really very easy to answer.
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Post by fraggs on Oct 30, 2014 21:43:08 GMT
May well be wrong... But I feel like Myrmica species sting when threatened, whereas Formica cannot sting and therefore bite or some even spray formic acid at the aggressor?
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Post by Miles on Oct 31, 2014 2:06:30 GMT
You are correct. Those are basic characteristics of those ants' subfamilies.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Oct 31, 2014 6:57:11 GMT
May well be wrong... But I feel like Myrmica species sting when threatened, whereas Formica cannot sting and therefore bite or some even spray formic acid at the aggressor? Spot on Fraggs, that is the answer I was looking for. Sometimes it is the simplest answer that can prove the hardest if it isn't clearly evident.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Oct 31, 2014 7:12:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 11:33:24 GMT
Lasius flavus colonies can accept more than one queen, whereas Lasius niger colonies will only accept more than one queen until the first workers hatch, and they will kill the other queens leaving one if the queens have not fought beforehand. The nest in the picture are of Lasius flavus. I believe as they are known for creating mounds like that.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Oct 31, 2014 11:56:30 GMT
Half a point for getting the nest mound part right Josh, but the difference between the 2 species is a bit easier. (Hint} Not the colour, but something else almost as easy)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 12:19:49 GMT
Is the difference the size.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Oct 31, 2014 12:31:55 GMT
Is the difference the size. Okay, time for a clue. Forget the photos, think more about their behaviour.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 13:55:08 GMT
I think I know it now, Lasius flavus are ground dwellers and spend most of the time underground whereas Lasius niger spend more time above ground. That or Lasius niger are more vicious compared to Lasius flavus.
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