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Photo#1168041
Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female

Unknown ant - Solenopsis - Female
Naples , Collier County, Florida, USA
November 17, 2015
Size: 4.5 mm
This ant was captured in a pit trap that was placed adjacent to a sand live oak hammock in a sandy gopher tortoise habitat.

Images of this individual: tag all
Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female Unknown ant - Solenopsis - female

Moved
Moved from Ants.

*
Solenopsis, probably in the geminata group. James Trager could confirm. Scope the 2-segmented antennal club.

 
Brendon,
last year, James identified the 3rd image as "A very pale (teneral) minor worker of, probably, Pheidole moerens.
… James C. Trager, 27 November, 2015 - 11:59am."

I am attaching an enlarged photo of the antennal club. Hope this helps narrow it down.

 
Reviewing this...
Studying this more carefully, I see I was in error, and that the, shininess, mandibular dentition, and shape of the propodeum are those of a fire ant, concordant with Brendon's suggestion. I would note that the size estimate of 4.5 mm is too large for this ant by about 1.5 mm, unless you encounter a large major worker, which this is not.

 
I measured
the ant again and I still get a BL of about 4.5 mm, as shown in the latest posted image.

 
Reviewing this...
Sometimes, I am amazed how a more careful inspection helps me see the errors of haste. A bit embarrassing, but the important thing is to finally get it right. Moving this to Solenopsis.

 
Thanks very much
Brendon and James. I appreciate your thorough analysis. James, you indicated that I did an incorrect measurement of this specimen. I will measure it again when I get a chance. James, do you agree with Brendon that it is likely S. geminata.

 
Additional photographs.
I just added photos (not great pics) of the dorsal and ventral views of the head. Perhaps this will help with the species ID.

Moved
Moved from Ants.

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