Post B5w2LS4ECzvqzjz5k0 by wyatt_h_knott@mstdn.social
 (DIR) More posts by wyatt_h_knott@mstdn.social
 (DIR) Post #B5v8vJxOFFp2piJSiW by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T13:12:02Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Summary of this excellent article. "Nobody can tell these ants apart, ya'll have been trying and we'll list all the ways but none of them really work. We have a simple solution!All you need to do is look at the propodeal spiracle and if it's more slit-shaped it's Formica. Probably. Most of the time."We all know it's easy to get ants to stand still and let you look carefully at a tiny little hole on their thorax. Ants love to hold still. This is so easy. 🫠 https://www.antwiki.org/w/images/9/93/Agosti_%26_Bolton_1990.pdf
       
 (DIR) Post #B5v905FKMmSEelyS8G by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T13:12:53Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I am grateful for this paper. It's very helpful. But it's also kind of funny how much trouble these ants have caused. The ants know who they are! This is a human problem.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5v99uGo1wUhViLjUG by droidboy@social.cologne
       2026-05-03T13:14:30Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird This is what I came here for. Thx for that.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5v9FV9iJm0DMChT6m by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T13:15:40Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I like to try just asking the ant."Are you Formica or Lasius?""I am biting you and doing a Big Jump and running away and you will never ever know. Enjoy your blurry photos! he he he"
       
 (DIR) Post #B5vDv31xfyZ86l8lO4 by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T14:07:54Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @wavesculptor I fully expect to have some kind of super camera someday with macro and 3D imaging so good that I can just take some photos of a moving ant and then do this kind of identification from photos. It's already possible if you know what shots to get now.Not that collecting ants for the drawers will ever end. Those collections are amazing. But it won't be the only way.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5vNIn5FW8AbBe4g0O by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T15:53:07Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @cascheranno Well here is the challenge. These are the two groups:Genus Lasius:https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/69086-Lasius/browse_photosGenus Formica:https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47339-Formica/browse_photosI've looked at them enough that I can make a good guess most of the time. But if it's ambiguous? Not local ants I've seen before? A photo? It's hard. They are closely related. But distinct groups. Lasius are smaller rounder and cuter.Formica are longer and more athletic.But IDK if there is an acronym.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5w17eUd74ORWaBoMy by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T23:19:17Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @cascheranno There really is an "essence of Lasius" and it's not like "Formica" but these are vibes and won't due when you really want to know what ant you are looking at.
       
 (DIR) Post #B5w2LS4ECzvqzjz5k0 by wyatt_h_knott@mstdn.social
       2026-05-03T23:32:54Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird Lasius definitely seems hairier overall, and more flat ovals for bodies. Formica I agree look more athletic, their heads also seem longer and with more taper towards the mandible and they generally have bigger/more agressive looking mandibles. Some color clues, maybe Lasius lighter, Formica often very dark. The heads look very different to me, but that's just scanning through those photo sets, I would bet my correct ID rate is no better than blind luck. @cascheranno
       
 (DIR) Post #B5w3Vx2Y0URDuCligS by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-05-03T23:46:07Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @wyatt_h_knott @cascheranno But then you might have a pair like this:https://sauropods.win/@futurebird/116508350020907572