Favoritos de nickant

A single dealate queen was found in a small wash, probably a straggler from a daytime/morning flight. It appears to be the same species as the first phoretica queen found in Arizona, but it is difficult to tell without proper specimen photos for both of them, as a lot of specific features seem to be very dependent on the angle. There are some minor (although probably not notable) differences. Specifically the hair length on the head, mesoscutellar disc, and gaster (maybe). Possibly also the antennal scape length.

Didn't believe my eyes when I first saw it, I never expected that they would actually go this far north. This opens up their range a whole lot, although I do think that they'd still be more common in the south.

Not associated with any other ants, but hyatti, xerophila, and micula are the most common (or at least most conspicuous) Pheidole species in the area. P. rhea may also be present, but I haven't seen them here yet.

New state record for Tennessee, and consequently the northernmost collection of this species. First for iNaturalist as well.

This small, orange worker was crawling on the forest floor slowly, not in very good shape. Looks like it got in a fight.

Workers were found in a makeshift termite bait made of a PVC pipe with holes drilled into the side, it was buried in the ground (the top of it was surface level so you could access the inside and a stone was placed on top to act as a cover) and pine wood was put inside, the wood was rotting when I checked it. Termites (Reticulitermes sp.) were present and workers were seen walking in the tunnels that the termites made in the wood. Workers were also seen on the inside and bottom of the PVC pipe.

Very happy to have found these and definitely wasn't expecting to.