Can someone please identify regular housequest?

Discussion on bees, wasps and ants
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Boertje
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Can someone please identify regular housequest?

Post by Boertje »

Hello

I am curious as to what species this is.

I've tried Google as well as Google Lens. Both continually and completely ignore the wings.
I've also tried searching based on the head, thinking that perhaps the mandibles are a distinguishing feature.

This is the second one I found. It was early morning (relatively) and still cool (relatively), so I am assuming it was waiting for the sun to hit its spot, it seemed very languid.
Location is south of Thailand, rural environment.

I am ready to be educated :D

Thank you!
B
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adamcotton
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Re: Can someone please identify regular housequest?

Post by adamcotton »

This is a flying ant (reproductive male or female, not sure which), perhaps genus Oecophylla. Ants are not my speciality, but I have seen these before. I seem to remember that the species in S Thailand has a green abdomen, rather than orange here in Chiang Mai. This ant is often found in fruit trees, where they build nests made by weaving leaves into a ball. They are voracious predators and eat any insects that feed on the leaves of the trees.

Note that the worker ants are wingless.

Interestingly the larvae of some Lycaenid butterflies live in these nests, mimicking ant larvae.

Adam.
Boertje
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Re: Can someone please identify regular housequest?

Post by Boertje »

Hi Adam

Thank you very much for the extensive information. Much appreciated!

Best regards
B
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