ANTSTORE World of Ants

[aka ant]

I live in the northeast state of massachusetts usa. I would like to share photos of ants I keep and photographed.
Formica slave maker sp vs a host formica sp. shockingly the host colony managed to resist the attack, both sides taking heavy losses.



formica sp



formica slave maker queen/colony



Crematogaster

[aka ant]

Aphaenogaster tennesseensis





Camponotus chromaiodes

[aka ant]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus




other camponotus
Tetramorium e


Solenopsis

Polyergus lucidus

Lasius



acorn ants

[damondeionno]

Wow. Thanks so much for posting these. I know it's a lot to ask, but would you mind telling us a little about the way these different ants live. Things like the acorn ants are obvious, but some of the other are totally alien to me.

I know so little about the ants of the USA that it's never been high on my list of potential holiday destinations.

[aka ant]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus are a major pest in the USA mostly nest in soil.
They can make trails and tend aphids.
Camponotus chromaiodes are same size as C pennsylvanicus but are not as big of a pest and tend to aphids. Among my favorite Camponotus.
Polyergus and formica slave makers raid formica for the brood.
The 2nd and 3rd Lasius are temporary parasites who must invade Lasius host colonies to jump start their own colony.
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis are my favorite Aphaenogaster due to their size and the beautiful queen.
Crematogaster are small hardy ants, when bothered will raise their abdomen
to repel attackers.
You can find leaf cutter ants, Myrmecocystus honey pot ants, Messor, Pogonomyrmex harvester ants, many pheidole, trap jaw ants,Neivamyrmex army ants, and many many more.

[mpir]

Camponotus pennsylvanicus are a major pest in the USA

Probably the only reason you consider them a pest is because most of the houses in USA are made from wood. In Europe where the majority of buildings are made from brick or concrete they wouldn't be considered a pest.

Anyway, thanks for great photos. Keep them coming.

I can see that also in the states you have quite a great variety of ants.

cheers

[JimmyVe]

Hello aka ant and welcome to the forum,

I see you are no beginner at keeping ants.
Great colonies you have there, nice pictures to.

Lucky you. You have got really nice species living near you.

[aka ant]

Thanks for the welcome! I have been into ants for 5+ years and I'm glad to share my knowledge from across the pond.

[aka ant]

My Formica subsericea colony in a new home.





Ants I found in Florida
Pogonomyrmex badius , only known large headed pogo harvester specie


Camponotus floridanus , ehh the overlarge headed majors had no problem making my fingers bleed after a few bites.





Odontomachus sp trap jaw ants

[JimmyVe]

Damn, you have some interesting species living near you. You are a lucky man.
Great pictures to.

[aka ant]

The bottom 3 species are from Florida, some 2000 miles south of me.

[aka ant]

Polyergus lucidus

[JimmyVe]

Great ant. Very nice pictures to.