Crappy Photo of Subject 2

These little ladies were hiding under a chunk of cement that was laying next to the water fountain at the trail head next to the Stough Cyn Nature Center.  I was caught off guard when I raised the chunk actually.  I was expecting a smaller colony and was surprised by a large group that scattered quickly and moved to relocate the brood that had been exposed.  I had collection containers with me, but nothing for a whole colony and the queen quickly disappeared.  So, I put the block back and let them get back to their business without too much distress I hope.

This ant is pretty small and commonly found in the California household looking for sweets.  You may have seen them, though they won’t look like the picture below which is pretty crappy.  I’m still looking for a good macro photography solution and will post on that later.  This ant is pretty dark color, basically black. It’s called the Odorous House Ant because they frequent homes and stink when squished; not something I can speak to firsthand cause I’m not into squishing ants.    There’s a simple article about this species here if you’ve seen one and want to know more:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/odorous.html

SUBJECT 2

Date:	4/20/2008
Location:	Stough Canyon, CA
Habitat:	Chaparral in foothills
Capture:	Midday under paver near water fountain
Size:	3mm
Color:	black
images:full body,
Species:	Tapinoma sessile
Photo:	Intel Play Qx3 Microscope, 60x magnification