Today I found this unprocessed gem of a photograph in my old files. It’s from a trip Mrs. Myrmecos and I took to Panama in 2007. After dusting it off, I’ve posted it here.
Your challenge:
1. To what family does our mystery insect belong? (3 points)
2. To what genus does it belong? (3 points)
3. This insect mimics an ant. Name the model species (4 points)
Points will be awarded only for the first correct answers, and the cumulative points winner for the month of February will win their choice of:
1) A guest post here on Myrmecos
2) Any 8×10 print from my insect photography galleries
3) A myrmecos t-shirt
Good luck!
Hey Alex! Great pic! Aetalionidae, genus Gerridius…sp. likely fowleri. Don’t know the ant it mimics, unfortunately….
Perhaps Camponotus sericeiventris?
Aetalionidae, genus Lophyraspis. It is a mimic of a black ant.
Species muscaria. Still thinking it is a black ant mimic.
Mimic of Dolichoderus? Maybe (really not sure about it) D. bidens?
but this “petiole” reminds me of an Ectatomma…
Mark’s right. Aetalionidae, lophyraspis, but don’t they mimic army ants?
Looks like a mimic of Pachycondyla villosa, with the big petiole. However, isn’t it possible that it’s tapping into a mimicry complex of ants,including Camponotus sericeiventris, Dolichoderus, and other big ants with gold pubescence?
Pingback: – Answer to the Monday Night Mystery