3 replies to this topic

[RequiredField]

Hey guys,

Have another ID request, this time I’m completely stumped as to what it could be.

Found her running across my driveway near a freshly tilled garden bed with fairly loamy soil. Index fingernail length and incredibly energetic, even for a spooked queen.

She did seem to be running alongside what I’m fairly sure is a Tapinoma colony just judging by the workers.

Camera was taking its sweet time today, so definitely let me know if further pictures are needed.

Thanks in advance.

Attached Images

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[Artisan_Ants]

Lasius; this one being a parasitic species. I’m pretty sure it’s Lasius aphidicola or L. aphidicola as I used to have the same exact queen of this species (but she died during diapause of hibernation) so yeah. Definitely a parasitic Lasius species, and not Tapinoma. She need host workers of preferably Lasius niger or L. niger (anlthougn I haven’t found any around here) but Lasius neoniger or L. neoniger is always a good option. There’s more about this topic on an old article on this forum about introducinf host workers to parasitic Lasius queens so go check that out cause it’s I for packed! Also it”s good to see another Pennsylvanian anter on the forum! I’m also around Eastern PA so our species are pretty much the same. Anyways hopes this helps!

[The_Gaming-gate]

Certainly not Tapinoma, some sort of Formicinae. I’m not going to call it a Lasius, simply because it looks slightly like a Formica fusca group species.

Edited by The_Gaming-gate, May 23 2024 - 3:10 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

Lasius aphidicola