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Lasius Neoniger or Lasius Americanus? Found in Michigan.

Started By michiganantsinmyyard , Dec 2 2023 9:45 AM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted December 2 2023 - 9:45 AM

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LocationCommerce Township, Michigan

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.

#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 2 2023 - 12:52 PM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

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

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline michiganantsinmyyard - Posted December 2 2023 - 6:47 PM

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LocationCommerce Township, Michigan

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.

#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 2 2023 - 6:51 PM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

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.

rptraut likes this

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline Voidley - Posted December 2 2023 - 11:58 PM

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LocationNYC

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.