The ruler in the images is metric. For instance, A] is about 8-9mm in length.First off, here is a shot of A, B and C together:
The queens I captured during a nuptial flight, but didn't survive because I did not have a proper container ready at the time.
A]
Captured these 02/07 (nuptial flight). I also captured another on a later date (23/07), I believe they are the same species though, but just had several nuptial flights over the same month (weather's been kind of erratic).
I think they are Lasius Niger. They are black all over, and you see these ones everywhere around here. The first workers have emerged, which are also black.
B]
Captured these 23/07 (nuptial flight). These were crawling around along with the ones from A at this date. These are smaller though in comparison, especially their abdomen. They are also yellowish, but darker on top.
I believe these are Lasius Flavus. I have these in tubes as well and are doing well, but the workers have not yet emerged, as they were captured a bit later.
C]
I captured this worker while I was walking the dog.
They are very large compared to other ants around here, and very agressive. You don't see these as often, but the colony was very big. They were settled in an area with very dry sand and pinetrees. I did not see their nest though or any pinetree needle mounds.Could these be Formica rufa?
D]
This one is from a nest I found while working in the yard. They were housed inside a rusted spray paint can of some sort. I didn't realise they were in there until I had disturbed. I was about to throw it into the thrash when I noticed worker crawling all over it.
I think there may be a queen with brood in there and I would like to try and keep these. I have placed their nest inside a container with some food/water. I think they have a queen because they do not seem to display escape behaviour. They will emerge from the can in great numbers if disturbed, but otherwise you only see the occasional worker (foraging?). They are also more beligerent than A and B, but not as big/aggressive as C. This worker is about 5-6mm maybe. Their thorax is red, but head and abdomen are black. The abdomen has a specular/metallic sheen to it.
I was thinking Myrmica rubra?
I never got stung, so I don't know if C or D sting, but I am assuming they do (or bite).
