Myrmecos was extra slow last week. For that, I apologize.
My absence was for a good cause, though. We were in North Carolina for a simply lovely wedding on the beach. As a number of myrmecologists were in attendance, we mounted ant-hunting expeditions to the neighboring coastal forests. Below are photographs from the field:
Hi Alex,
Those are great shots! It was a lot of fun to hang out with you guys. I hope you had a great time. See you next time, maybe in Illinois…
Hope to do it again soon, Benoit! We did have a great time (and about 100 chigger bites to remember it by…)
I am so envious! Anting with anting friends and beautiful pictures: wow.
Glad you captioned the last. When I scrolled down I was expecting an ant but took a step back before I saw it was a jumper. For a split second I thought it was a most peculiar ant. Your caption reassures me that while I may not always know which ant for many of your photos, I do know the difference between Formicidae and Saltcidae.
Alex
I see Mrs M taking a keen interest in the ants.
So what else did you get? Bet you got more than Dorymyrmex bureni, aphaenogaster carolinensis, Solenopsis picta, Camponotus snellingi, and an unarmed Crematogaster!
I got chiggers and several ticks. Do those count?
(Also, that unnamed Forelius sp., Camponotus chromaiodes, C. nearcticus, C. castaneus, a Colobopsis that I’ve not keyed yet, Temnothorax pergandei, T. curvispinosus, Trachymyrmex, the usual common Formica & Lasius spp., Pyramica, Ponera, and Pachycondyla chinensis. I’m sure I’m forgetting some…)
No Pheidole morrisi? This brings back memories. I studied ants at NC State.
“the usual common Formica & Lasius spp.”
Now that was a cop-out, eh Stef? We want names!
Your trip sounds absolutely delightful. A nice wedding and a coagulation of ant nuts = FUN!
So envious. Still working on that “friends” part 🙂
Finding like-minded bug enthusiasts is much easier in colleges & universities. At institutions with entomology departments, students often organize weekend collecting trips.