9 replies to this topic

[Valkyrie04]

This was near a massive nest of these pretty little golden/orange workers. There were holes everywhere about 5-6 feet away. I got 2 queens/princesses and some workers and brought them home. They drink like all get out. They have emptied my nestmates twice in 4 days, and swarmed a baby dubia roach. I had a few losses and one queen has kicked off her wings. They are sitting on top of a water tower in a Type 1 mini hearth. They don't come out much. I have kept them in the dark and just checked to see if anyone is fighting. No aggression so far. Any wisdom on an ID is appreciated.  Thx! 

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[ANTdrew]

Parasitic Lasius species, maybe claviger. Sounds you collected unmated queens from a colony.

[Mettcollsuss]

Lasius claviger.

[Valkyrie04]

These flew the night before I got them. It rained and they were everywhere. The queens I got were away from the nest. There was a second flight the same night and they were about 20 feet away. Is it at all possible these were mated? I have a small colony of Lasius neoniger that I was thinking of giving them each a pupae or two and see if they start to lay or anything. Or will that even work since the workers are different?

[LowQualityAnts]

L claviger needs brood of another lasius species to found a colony.

[Valkyrie04]

So L neoniger might work?

[T.C.]

So L neoniger might work?

 

If they're fertile queens, then yes Lasius neoniger would be a suitable host species. 

[OiledOlives]

Looks like you already have hosts. If you have over 50 of the claviger workers, that is enough.

[Mettcollsuss]

L claviger needs brood of another lasius species to found a colony.

They need workers too, not just brood, though having brood too helps.

[United-Ants]

i agree on Lasius claviger.