4 replies to this topic

[LC3]

Hello everyone. A Lasius species had a (early) nuptial flight today and I always thought they we're Lasius niger but I was just informed that L.niger doesn't live in south (ish) west of Canada.

 

So It would be really helpful to finally know what species this is. 

 

 

1. Location:I collected these at a store but they are everywhere around Richmond, BC, Canada.

2. Collected: 28th of June, 2015. The flight took place somewhere between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm on a warm humid day. (24 C and humidity around 75 maybe?)

3.Habitat:Sub urban and urban.

4. Length: 10 mm. Nearly killed it.

5. Dark brown. Exoskeleton has a smooth texture gaster seems translucent seems to lack hair the colour is dull and 

6.One petiole, 10  mm, no spines, small head.

7.No odor the queen is really fast as well as her species' workers

8.Nest:Just about anywhere where there's soil.

 

Pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They flew around 3:00pm and 5:30pm  which is weird 'cause this species tends to fly during late August and it's June right now! Anyway it's abnormally humid and warm today compared to the hot dry-ish summer days. I've also noticed the alates are smaller than the ones that flew during August.

 

[Wasmannia]

Hi LC3,

I caught one of these queens on June 27 in South Vancouver @ 11:30 am, dealate. Tentatively id‘d as Lasius sp. Saw another in another S. Van. Location this am (June 29)

[LC3]

Hi LC3,

I caught one of these queens on June 27 in South Vancouver @ 11:30 am, dealate. Tentatively id‘d as Lasius sp. Saw another in another S. Van. Location this am (June 29)

I know they are Lasius and I found a few more alates today. Richmond is like just west of Vancouver so I wouldn't be surprised. I always thought this species was Lasius niger as they occur in the west but they aren't native here.  So I thought I'd ask. Anyways good luck with your queens! 

[James C. Trager]

Lasius alienus is what we call the dark brown species that flies this time of year across much of North America.

[LC3]

Interesting. I'm surprised I never noticed this species before. Only the ones in August, but it's weird because I am 90% sure the alates came from the same colonies that usually flown during August.