5 replies to this topic

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Found in Michigan around Mid September. I really don't know the difference between Neoniger or Americanus and other related species. Hopefully this picture is enough. It is about 8-9mm.

[ANTdrew]

By time of year, it’s probably neoniger. Habitat can help, too. L. neoniger favor more open fields, while americanus favor forested areas.

[michiganantsinmyyard]

By time of year, it’s probably neoniger. Habitat can help, too. L. neoniger favor more open fields, while americanus favor forested areas.

Sorry for the late reply but I don't think habitat would be a good metric. I have a field in my backyard, but only about 5 feet to the right of my backyard is thick forest. 

[ANTdrew]

I still think you can be confident Id’ing this as neoniger based on timing since L. americanus fly much earlier. Here in Virginia, they fly from June to July.

[Voidley]

The common name for L. neoniger is actually the labor day ant due to them always having flights around then. Here up north they're pretty much the only non-parasitic lasius species that flies in September.

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Thanks both of you! I'm pretty sure it is Lasius neoniger. I'm pretty sure care is exactly the same.