10 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

I have 2 Lasuis colonies, one has many workers, one has no eggs or workers or anything I was wondering if she might possibly be a parasite Lasius?

 

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[OwlThatLikesAnts]

The second one is definitely not a temporary parasite, she is a queen who is very very hungry looking, where did you find her?, she might be unfertile, but I can't tell that for sure. She could of used up all of her wing fat and is starved and is skinny like that, give her some honey water and see if she accepts

 

for species, they can be Lasius neoniger or americanus

[1tsm3jack]

Nailed it with the hungry part, I offered her a blob of honey water probably double the size of her and she drank every single last drop, offered her another that was about the size of her and she is drinking it as I type this, currently about halfway through it, her gaster has nearly tripled in size if I had to guess.

 

Edit: should I be worried about her like popping her own gaster from drinking so much?

Edited by 1tsm3jack, October 12 2024 - 4:52 PM.

[bmb1bee]

I wouldn't be worried about her popping her gaster, they'll know when to stop. And no, that is definitely not a parasite. Someone more well-versed in East Coast species could probably make a more accurate identification than I.

[1tsm3jack]

Bringing this back up because I still need ID please, I will post a picture of the very full queen in a few minutes

[1tsm3jack]

Here are the pictures

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[1tsm3jack]

Help please I would really like to know what they are.

[Ants_Dakota]

Help please I would really like to know what they are.

It is always nice to get a positive ID, but I do not think your pictures are quite good enough. In my opinion, she looks to be Lasius americanus, but there could be other similar species in your area that someone from Virginia would know more about. Keep in mind that the care for all claustral Lasius queens is nearly identical, so you should have no surprises coming up.
For the best chance at an ID, you are probably going to have to do it yourself. You can read about a similar struggle that I had here. A key from Antwiki such as this should aid you.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, October 15 2024 - 2:51 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Can you describe the habitat you found them in? That may help narrow it down.

[RushmoreAnts]

The first one appears to be either neoniger or pallitarsis, and the second one, being smaller, rounder, and more piceous (darker) appears to be either americanus or crypticus (it's presence on the East Coast has yet to be verified, my best guess would be americanus.) While she does appear to be malnourished, her smaller, pudgier stature is normal for the species.

[1tsm3jack]

The first one appears to be either neoniger or pallitarsis, and the second one, being smaller, rounder, and more piceous (darker) appears to be either americanus or crypticus (it's presence on the East Coast has yet to be verified, my best guess would be americanus.) While she does appear to be malnourished, her smaller, pudgier stature is normal for the species.

The smaller one has gotten a lot bigger now even compared to the picture from a day or 2 ago.