7 replies to this topic

[Lazarus]

After a fairly lacklustre summer with mostly my usual C. Novae. common in my area I struck success with 3 separate queens 2 days ago. As my ant identification skills are terrible I would like opinions on all three, but I will keep the ID posts separate in order to avoid confusion. I realize that this late in the season (up here anyway) it is possible that these are ejected queens that may turn out to be infertile, but we have been having some exceptionally warm weather so here's hoping.

ID 2 of 3

1. Location of collection: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2. Date of collection : 21 August 2020
3. Habitat of collection: Urban neighbourhood sidewalk
4. Length: 6.5 mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Brownish with yellow gaster stretch lines
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Winged
7. Anything else distinctive: N/A

 

 

[AnthonyP163]

Lasius brevicornis or Lasius nearcticus queen. 

[NickAnter]

Strange she is so small. Mine is over 9mm. I wonder if this could be a light form pallitarsis.

[ANTdrew]

You found something other than C. novaeboracencis!

[Lazarus]

Strange she is so small. Mine is over 9mm. I wonder if this could be a light form pallitarsis.

She really is small and I was able to get an accurate measurement.
 

[NickAnter]

 

Strange she is so small. Mine is over 9mm. I wonder if this could be a light form pallitarsis.

She really is small and I was able to get an accurate measurement.
 

 

I wasnt doubting it . I just find it interesting.

[Canadian anter]

I'm gonna say Lasius brevicornis cause of the shorter antennae

[Lazarus]

I'm gonna say Lasius brevicornis cause of the shorter antennae

 

I think you're correct. I found this reference:

 

Ellison et al. (2012) - This is one of two New England species of Lasius with very tiny eyes; the other is Lasius brevicornis. These two species nest in distinct habitats – L. nearcticus in moist forests and L. brevicornis in open, dry habitats – but they can be distinguished reliably only by examining their maxillary palps at 25 – 50× magnification under a dissecting microscope. In L. nearcticus, the terminal segment of the palp is longer than the penultimate segment, whereas in L. brevicornis, the terminal segment of the palp is shorter than the penultimate segment.

 

This is actually quite important as their preferred habitats are quite different, Nearticus prefering humid environments, whereas brevicornis prefer dry.

Edited by Lazarus, August 25 2020 - 9:18 AM.