5 replies to this topic

[AnthonyP163]

I'm not sure if I've ever had to create a thread for an identification, but after 8 months of research and being stumped, I have decided that I should. 

 

I don't think it's Lasius, I've done lots of research and it's too small and doesn't look exactly like them. I have also never seen this species in the wild as colonies. 

 

Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States.

Date of Collection: sometime in July, don't remember the exact date.

Habitat of collection: found under a chunk of mud in a deciduous forest. 

Length: the queen is 5 mm and workers are 2 mm 

color: seen in pictures.

Distinguishing behavior: sometimes has wrapped pupae, sometimes doesn't. Is very erratic at times. 

 

 

[ZllGGY]

just taking a stab in the dark but could it be Liometopum Luctuosum?

 

[AnthonyP163]

 

just taking a stab in the dark but could it be Liometopum Luctuosum?

 

 

Sizes don't match up, and Liometopum Luctuosum does not have cocoons.

[LC3]

Nylanderia parvula? Apparently it's the only species of Nylanderia in Wisconsin. The only other option I can think of is the second gynotype of Lasius alienus.

Edited by LC3, March 15 2018 - 10:17 PM.

[VoidElecent]

Did you find her with workers or alone? She could be a Lasius social parasite, like L. minutus.

[AnthonyP163]

Did you find her with workers or alone? She could be a Lasius social parasite, like L. minutus.

She founded on her own, she was caught alone.

 

Nylanderia parvula? Apparently it's the only species of Nylanderia in Wisconsin. The only other option I can think of is the second gynotype of Lasius alienus.

From what I hear, Nylanderia does not spin cocoons. 

 

It's possible there could be another genotype of Lasius alienus, yes, but species aren't always marked in states on some popular websites. Dolichoderus mariae for example, is documented and photographed in Wisconsin by James Trager, yet has not been added on antweb since they don't have a specimen, and antmaps doesn't seem to have the information.