42 replies to this topic

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Is Lasius aphidicola the same thing as Lasius aphidicolus?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Has anyone kept this species long term?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Oh, this explains everything (aka one thing)! They prefer a dry nest, that's why they hang out away from the water.

[TennesseeAnts]

These are a parasitic species, and the queens will kill the queen of a Lasius americanus colony (or similar), and create her colony from the ashes of another colony.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I did know that much, but what are the general habits of a mature aphidicola colony? Is it an interesting species to keep long term?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Oh, wow! This antkeeper http://www.antnest.co.uk/myrmants.html has had a Lasius umbratus colony for 10 years and counting, and they are amazing! Even better than Lasius americanus.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, July 15 2019 - 10:00 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

They are very interesting ants. More aggressive than other Lasius.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

The workers have moved about a third of the pupae to the other side of the nest, next to the water source. Strange, but good to know they see the whole nest as a nest, and not as a garbage dump.

[Kaelwizard]

The parasitic workers should be very bright yellow once they come.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

They accepted honey, and I cut up a mealworm for them. I think feeding dishes in general tend to discourage ants, even if they can climb perfectly well. Almost all of the pupae are in the new pile now.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

What species are those pupae likely to be? I think Lasius takes about a month and a half to go from egg to ant, but I don't know when Lasius aphidicola has its flights.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

They are eating now, but they aren't as voracious as my Tetramorium. I swear ants will not eat out of an easily cleaned plastic dish. They only like food when it leaves a nasty brown stain on the outworld floor.

[TennesseeAnts]

The parasitic workers should be very bright yellow once they come.

You are thinking of Lasius interjectus.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

 

The parasitic workers should be very bright yellow once they come.

You are thinking of Lasius interjectus.

 

I guess Lasius aphidicola is more orange than yellow, but it still is quite striking.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

In case anyone was wondering, this species is essentially the same thing as Lasius umbratus, which is now known to occur only in Europe.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

They moved the eggs and larvae onto the water tower today (The pupae were moved back days ago, I forgot to post this.), which makes sense. The queen's gaster is normal now, I assume they chose to move it now because if the she isn't laying as many eggs, the egg pile doesn't need to be close by to her.

[Kaelwizard]

The parasitic workers should be very bright yellow once they come.

You are thinking of Lasius interjectus.

Aphidicola are still bright but not as yellow.

[Canadian anter]

The parasitic workers should be very bright yellow once they come.

You are thinking of Lasius interjectus.

Aphidicola are still bright but not as yellow.

Almost all Acanthomyops Lasius are bright orange/yellow and umbratus group are only *slightly* more dull

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Three workers eclosed today. Still too early to tell if they are host or parasite.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I think the new workers are L. americanus, because right now they are a sort of pale greyish-white, and they look identical in shape to their sisters.