7 replies to this topic

[cfreidsma]

West Michigan found under a board. Looks to be a Lasius. Noticably smaller than the queens in my other post, and slightly lighter in color. Maybe 6mm.

[OiledOlives]

Lasius (Cautolasius). Either L. brevicornis or L. nearcticus, The two are separable by the size of the penultimate segment of the maxillary palp in respect to the terminal one, or by the length of the scape in respect to the occipital corners. Both species are quite common.

[cfreidsma]

Could it be flavus? Someone on Reddit thinks it's flavus. The only issue is it would be a somewhat small flavus.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

No they are not known to be in North America.

[cfreidsma]

I'll see about getting some better images later to help. I was thinking flavus was in north america but it looks like that's actually brevicornis. Guess I learned something today lol.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Yeah even if there are records they are dubious or in error.

[cfreidsma]

[RushmoreAnts]

I'll see about getting some better images later to help. I was thinking flavus was in north america but it looks like that's actually brevicornis. Guess I learned something today lol.

The Lasius brevicornis in North America used to be considered Lasius flavus, though myrmecologists determined there was enough of a difference between the European and North American variants that they classified the North American flavus as a different species, brevicornis. By the way unlike many other Lasius, many (Cautolasius) including brevicornis and nearcticus are polygynous in case you find more.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, August 27 2024 - 5:37 AM.