Collecting in Michigan     
Some recent records from southern Michigan (no exotic Asian locations, I'm afraid!).
     

      I arrived from the UK in March for a 1 or 2 year postdoc in chemistry at WMU in Kalamazoo. I have done some collecting within walking/cycling range as I do not have a car here, with over 40 spp found so far in the immediate area. Two species believed to be new to the state [see state list in ref below].
      The first of these was Anergates. Unfortunately, an attempt to found a captive colony failed, but I will try again if possible. Specimens have been sent to Europe for genetic analysis. I know there are old records of this sp from states around New York, but I would be interested to receive information on its current status in North America. I would also like to learn of journals that would publish significant records (preferably without page charges, as I am an amateur).
      I also found Hypoponera opaciceps, identified to sp by Prof. Mackay. This species is interesting in having two forms of the male, winged and wingless.
      Other ants I have been pleased to see include Amblyopone, Dolichoderus and Polyergus. Unfortunately, I have only seen the "tail end" of a raid, although F.sanguinea group species have been very active at times, attacking Formica spp and also Myrmica etc for food.
      Identification to species is a problem as I do not have relevant, up-to-date keys (except Dolichoderus and Myrafant Leptothorax, kindly sent by Prof. Mackay) so suggestions/offers welcome. Aphaenogaster, Myrmica, Camponotus, Acanthomyops, Lasius and Formica are the most important genera here. I have also just received a request from Europe for a key to North American Lasius.
      I have not yet found any dacetines. I am keen to do so, but do not have any experience with these. I am not sure whether they are rare or highly localised this far north or simply very difficult to spot. I quickly found other relatively cryptic genera such as Ponera, Stenamma, Myrmecina, Solenopsis and Brachymyrmex. I recently tried sieving leaf litter but found nothing new. As an amateur living in a shared apartment use of Tullgren funnels etc would be rather inconvenient, so suggestions welcome...... I might try a few chemicals.
      In Aug./Sept. I tried to obtain full caste sets of the local "Lasius" to improve my chances of identifying them. The females of what I presume are Acanthomyops spp are certainly interesting looking creatures!
     The season is drawing to a close here now, so I doubt if I will find anything else, unless some interesting alates appear on sunny autumn days.....

Reference
http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/MICHANTS.html

Nicholas Blacker
email: nicholas.blacker@wmich.edu