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I'm guessing Lasius.... Virginia 6/29

Started By FeedTheAnts , Jun 29 2020 5:24 PM

Best Answer Manitobant , June 29 2020 - 7:12 PM

Subgenus acanthomyops male. He took the wings off... Go to the full post


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17 replies to this topic

#1 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:24 PM

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1. Location (on a map) of collection: Virginia, USA
2. Date of collection: 6/29/2020
3. Habitat of collection: Back porch at a black light
4. Length (from head to gaster): 5-6mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: Very dark brown
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Wings are not transparent
7. Distinguishing behavior: None
8. Nest description: None

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 9:00 PM -- 6/29/2020

 

I'm thinking Lasius. It looks kinda male-ish though, so maybe I'm just a newb lol. I hope these phone pics are good enough, my camera lens is broken.

 

IMG 5842
IMG 5845

Edited by FeedTheAnts, June 29 2020 - 5:25 PM.

I accidentally froze all my ants 

#2 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:30 PM

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If it is Lasius, it’s a social parasite. I would appreciate some views of the side, in which the wings aren’t blocking the view.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#3 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:38 PM

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I've caught a few more, so I smashed one to see what it smells like. It smells like a grape flavored sucker if that helps.

 

IMG 5854

I accidentally froze all my ants 

#4 Offline Antkid12 - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:46 PM

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I agree with lasius parasite.
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Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#5 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted June 29 2020 - 5:50 PM

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Yeah, definitely parasitic queens. Maybe aphidicola? But they do look a little dark for that species.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#6 Online ANTdrew - Posted June 29 2020 - 6:17 PM

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Good ol’ parasitic Lasius. I’ve seen these on my black-light I think.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 29 2020 - 6:17 PM

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Should I introduce them to host workers now, or hibernate them first?


I accidentally froze all my ants 

#8 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted June 29 2020 - 6:22 PM

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Looks like a wingless wasp. Correct me if I'm wrong, but those antennae to not appear to have a bend.


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Ant Keeping & Ethology Discord - 2000+ Members and growing

Statesideants.com - order live ants legally in the US

 

#9 Offline Manitobant - Posted June 29 2020 - 7:12 PM   Best Answer

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Subgenus acanthomyops male. He took the wings off...

Edited by Manitobant, June 29 2020 - 7:14 PM.

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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#10 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 30 2020 - 5:43 AM

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Subgenus acanthomyops male. He took the wings off...

I'm afraid you're right about it being a male. Yes, I did remove the wings myself for better viewing. They sure are the thickest males I've ever seen.


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I accidentally froze all my ants 

#11 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted June 30 2020 - 6:53 AM

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That is not a male. It is a Lasius social parasite queen, most likely L. aphidicola. I see these all the time.

#12 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 30 2020 - 7:02 AM

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Look up acanthomyops male, it matches exactly.
 

That is not a male. It is a Lasius social parasite queen, most likely L. aphidicola. I see these all the time.

 
https://www.google.c...QAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Second from the left is a male


Edited by FeedTheAnts, June 30 2020 - 7:04 AM.

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I accidentally froze all my ants 

#13 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted June 30 2020 - 7:48 AM

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Oh...

#14 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted June 30 2020 - 2:18 PM

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This is definitely a species of wasp. It doesn't have the signature bend in the antenna that all ants have, along with that the head to body ratio is too big to be a male alate (and queen ants have their antenna bent)


Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes

#15 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 30 2020 - 2:53 PM

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This is definitely a species of wasp. It doesn't have the signature bend in the antenna that all ants have, along with that the head to body ratio is too big to be a male alate (and queen ants have their antenna bent)

I disagree. It is not a wasp. I know the pics aren't too good but In person it clearly is an ant. Look up Lasius males, it matches a few exactly.


I accidentally froze all my ants 

#16 Offline Zeiss - Posted June 30 2020 - 2:56 PM

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This is definitely a species of wasp. It doesn't have the signature bend in the antenna that all ants have, along with that the head to body ratio is too big to be a male alate (and queen ants have their antenna bent)

Males don't always have a noticeable bend in their antennae.  Some males have the elbow very close to their head which makes it unnoticeable.


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#17 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted July 1 2020 - 6:05 AM

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This is definitely a species of wasp. It doesn't have the signature bend in the antenna that all ants have, along with that the head to body ratio is too big to be a male alate (and queen ants have their antenna bent)

I disagree. It is not a wasp. I know the pics aren't too good but In person it clearly is an ant. Look up Lasius males, it matches a few exactly.

 

I've been looking at Lasius males all night  :lol: Upon relooking at your pictures, the top one, I can barely see the bend (but it's still there!!) The bottom one didn't do me any good :lol: . But, I can definitely say that is is a male alate and not a wasp!! Thank you for the humbling experience and pointing it out for me (y) I can't fully ID it due to not being able to count the antenna segments, but if you can provide that, I got you! 


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Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes

#18 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 1 2020 - 6:26 AM

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This is definitely a species of wasp. It doesn't have the signature bend in the antenna that all ants have, along with that the head to body ratio is too big to be a male alate (and queen ants have their antenna bent)

I disagree. It is not a wasp. I know the pics aren't too good but In person it clearly is an ant. Look up Lasius males, it matches a few exactly.

 

I've been looking at Lasius males all night  :lol: Upon relooking at your pictures, the top one, I can barely see the bend (but it's still there!!) The bottom one didn't do me any good :lol: . But, I can definitely say that is is a male alate and not a wasp!! Thank you for the humbling experience and pointing it out for me (y) I can't fully ID it due to not being able to count the antenna segments, but if you can provide that, I got you! 

 

I don't have them anymore, sorry. Once I knew they were males I wasn't too interested in an ID.


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I accidentally froze all my ants 

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