14 replies to this topic

[SabbyMae]

Hello everyone! I am new to the hobby and I believe I have caught my first two queens yesterday (May 22, 2020). I'm not 100% sure if they are queens, but I'm hoping they are. I found them crossing the street in Fitchburg Massachusetts around 7:30 PM. The habitat surrounding the street was deciduous forest with a small river flowing through. They are dark brown with lighter brown legs and measure 7 mm in length. If you could help me identify them and determine if they are in fact queens, that would be super helpful! Thank you!

(Sorry the quality isn't the best)

 

[TheMicroPlanet]

Yes, this is a queen. Do you know how big they are (in millimeters)? This would really help to identify them.

 

Also, next time you need an ID, I suggest filling out this template:https://www.formicul...t-a-new-thread/.

It make it a lot easier for us to identify 

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, May 23 2020 - 11:44 AM.

[SabbyMae]

I mentioned they were about 7 mm in length.

[Nathant2131]

These are parasitic Lasius queens.

 

Edit: They do not follow typical ant care guidelines. If you want to raise them, this thread will help: https://www.formicul...cial-parasites/

Edited by Nathant2131, May 23 2020 - 11:45 AM.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I mentioned they were about 7 mm in length.

Oh i didn't even see that... my bad.

 

Could be some kind of parasitic Lasius, but i'd wait for a second opinion.

[ANTdrew]

Some things about these look like Crematogaster to me.

[TheMicroPlanet]

The gasters don't look pointy enough to be crematogaster... these look formicine too.

[Nathant2131]

It is certainly not Crematogaster and they do not fly this time of year.

[SabbyMae]

Thank you all for your input. I am definitely going to be watching a lot of videos...

[TheMicroPlanet]

Could be Lasius umbratus.

[Nathant2131]

Could be Lasius umbratus.

Lasius umbratus is now Lasius aphidicola in the US.

Edited by Nathant2131, May 23 2020 - 12:12 PM.

[MinigunL5]

Could be Lasius umbratus.

Lasius Umbratus are not from the region. I live in MA to and have found Lasius Aphidicola. Here is the link: https://www.formicul...ter-ma-may-5th/

[TheMicroPlanet]

Couldn't be Lasius umbratus.

[SabbyMae]

Luckily I have multiple Lasius colonies right in my back yard. Shouldn't be too hard to find some brood and workers. I just hope they don't kill her immediately. I will have to make changes to the current living situations for these queens though... Thank you all for the help!

[MinigunL5]

Luckily I have multiple Lasius colonies right in my back yard. Shouldn't be too hard to find some brood and workers. I just hope they don't kill her immediately. I will have to make changes to the current living situations for these queens though... Thank you all for the help!

Gather a few workers in a test tube. Then refrigerate both the queen an the workers. Then connect their test tubes and let the queen kill or accept them. Then repeat until she accepts them. Once she does maybe add more idk I'm not at that stage with my own queen yet.

Edited by MinigunL5, May 23 2020 - 12:37 PM.