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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Pheidologeton sp.

This is one of the smallest Pheidologeton species. The gyne or queen measured at only 15 millimiters. The workers ranged from 2 millimeters (minor workers) to 10 millimeters (super major workers). As is typical of the smaller Pheidologeton species the workers are not as aggressive as those of Pheidologeton diversus and Pheidologeton affinis.

Pheidologeton queen and nest.
Pheidologeton queen and nest

Once exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed by her workers who completely cover her.
Pheidologeton queen and nest

Once exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed by her workers who completely cover her. Pheidologetons are extremely protective of their queen.

Once exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed by her workers who completely cover her. Pheidologetons are extremely protective of their queen.
Exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed and completely covered by her workers

The Pheidologeton queen with her three month old nest.

The nest with the first super major worker just eclosed.
3 months old nest with the first super major worker just eclosed

Workers and brood of Pheidologeton.
Workers and brood of Pheidologeton

A newly eclosed super major worker.
Newly eclosed super major worker of Pheidologeton sp


Major workers and workers of Pheidologeton ants moving brood.
Major workers and workers of Pheidologeton ants moving brood

Workers of Pheidologeton ants moving the pupa of a super major worker.
Workers of Pheidologeton ants moving the pupa of a super major worker

Workers moving a large larvae.

Minor worker of Pheidologeton sp.
Minor worker of Pheidologeton sp


See Also:

Taxonomy:
Top Node: cellular organisms
Superkingdom: Eukayota 2759
Opisthokonta 33154
Kingdom: Metazoa 33208 (aka Animalia)
(No Rank): Eumetazoa 6072
(No Rank): Bilateria 33213
(No Rank): Protostomia 33317
(No Rank): Ecdysozoa 1206784
(No Rank):Panarthropoda 88770
Phylum: Arthropoda 6656
(No Rank): Mandibulata 197563
(No Rank): Pancrustacea 197562
Superclass: Hexapoda 6960
Class: Insecta 50557
(No Rank): Dicondylia 85512
(No Rank): Petrygota 7496
Subclass: Neoptera 33340
Infraclass: Endopterygota 33392
Order - Hymenoptera 7399
Suborder - Apocrita 7400
Infraorder - Aculeata 7434
Superfamily - Vespoidea 34725
Family - Formicidae 36668
Subfamily - Myrmicinae 34695
Tribe: Pheidologetonini 144016
Genus - Pheidologeton 297327


Last Updated: 2012 08 28
© 2011 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Polyrhachis ypsilon

Polyrhachis ypsilon is a monomorphic ant with a brilliant golden sheen and very pronounced curving hooked spines (thorns) on the petiole. It might be said that the curving hooked spine is the petiole. The other two sets of spines (thorns) are on the first (pronotum) and second (mesonotum) thoracic segments. Polyrhachis ypsilon is the most brillantly golden of the Polyrhachis genus. At over 15 millimeters the workers of Polyrhachis ypsilon is among the largest species of this genus.

As part of the Formicinae subfamily of ants, Polyrhachis ypsilon supposedly do not have a functional sting. Or so one should believe until one is actually stung by one.

Worker of the golden ant, Polyrhachis ypsilon, in a defensive stinging threat posture that is the typical threat posture of many of the Polyhachis genus.

Polyrhachis ypsilon golden ant worker with its brilliant golden sheen and huge hooked petiole spines.

Polyhachis ypsilon the golden ant.

Golden Polyrhachis ypsilon ant worker.

Worker ants of Polyrhachis ypsilon showing their brilliant golden sheen.

Workers of Polyrhachis ypsilon.

Workers of Polyhachis ypsilon ant.

Polyhachis ypsilon ant workers.
Polyhachis ypsilon workers

Polyhachis ypsilon workers.
Polyhachis ypsilon workers

Posterior view of Polyrhachis ypsilon ant showing the three sets of long curving spines (thorns).
Posterior view of Polyrhachis ypsilon ant

Lateral view of Polyrhachis ypsilon worker.
Lateral view of Polyrhachis ypsilon worker

Lateral view of the Polyrhachis ypsilon ant.
Lateral view of the Polyrhachis ypsilon ant

Top view of Polyrhachis ypsilon worker.

The metallic golden sheen completely covered this species even to the tip of the antennae and the hooks (tarsal claws) at the end of the limbs.

Polyrhachis ypsilon the golden ant.




See also:
Polyrhachis armata
Polyrhachis bihamata
Polyrhachis cephalotes
Polyrhachis dives 84555
Polyrhachis esuriens
Polyrhachis furcata 111117
Polyrhachis sp(36)



Taxonomy:
Top Node: cellular organisms 131567
SuperKingdom: Eukaryota 2759
No Rank: Opisthokonta 33154
Kingdom: Metazoa 33208
No Rank: Eumetazoa 6072
No Rank: Bilateria 33213
No Rank: Coelomata 33316
No Rank: Protostomia 33317
No Rank: Panarthropoda 88770
Phylum: Arthropoda 6656
No Rank: Mandibulata 197563
No Rank: Pancrustacea 197562
Superclass: Hexapoda 6960
Class: Insecta 50557
No Rank: Dicondylia 85512
No Rank: Pterygota 7496
Subclass: Neoptera 33340
Infraclass: Endopterygota 33392
Order: Hymenoptera 7399
No Rank: Apocrita 7400
Suborder: Aculeata 7434
Superfamily: Vespoidea 34725
Family: Formicidae 36668
Subfamily: Formicinae 7479
Tribe: Camponotini 72773
Genus:- Polyrhachis 84544
Species: ypsilon 84558


Last Updated: 2012 08 08
First Updated: 2012 08 08
© 2011 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.