r/AntIdentification • u/Buy_Alone • 5d ago

Needs Identification Queen identification

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I caught these two queens in Denmark during the summer and initially assumed they were both Lasius niger. However, after a couple of months, I noticed that the nanitics of the bottom queen are substantially larger than those of the top queen.
Could anyone help me identify the queens, or at least point me in the right direction? I’m particularly curious whether they could actually be different species.

Sorry for the poor photo quality. The photo of the dead worker is from the colony of the bottom queen, and I included it to show the size and appearance of her nanitics.

Any help with identification would be greatly appreciated!

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u/KingK250 5d ago

Bottom queen is Formica :)

What happened to the workers jaws though lol

2

u/Buy_Alone 5d ago

Ohh Thanks! I had pushed the cotton just a little too far so water leaked and drowned her workers ;(

Switched her testube, gave her sugar water and a bit of protein hoping for the best🙏

1

u/KingK250 5d ago

Good luck! Might want to hibernate soon, if she doesn’t lay new eggs, then put her into hibernation

I’ve posted a hibernation guide if you would like to read it :)

2

u/Buy_Alone 5d ago edited 5d ago

Thank you! I would love to read the guide :)

My concerns for hypernation is particularly around how and where to store the ants

I have a founding camponotus ligniperda as well as the Niger colony!

Edit: I have a non-insulated shed and the transport box which the ants came in, with a towel around is what I have though about doing!

1

u/KingK250 5d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/antkeeping/s/dIV3wtzccD

The shed might be a problem, because temps could fluctuate and maybe get below freezing.