9 replies to this topic

[HumanSuit]

Earlier today I found a few queens. All caught in a pool in the suburbs right outside the city. I rescues all the ones I found, but only had a container for one. She's about 9mm and very dark. Black, except for some light brown underneath. It looks like she has only one petiole, but she hasn't shed her wings so I can't be certain about that.

She seems restless so far. She's in a test tube set up wrapped in a towel and I'm trying to give her some space.

http://i1149.photobu...zpsx0zcybq6.jpg
http://i1149.photobu...zpsg7xrlu59.jpg
http://i1149.photobu...zpswegx6cih.jpg

These pictures are from my phone. If they aren't good enough to ID, I'll try to take some better ones.

[Canadian anter]

Lasius sp. I personally want a picture from the underside to tell if it is parasitic

[Canadian anter]

Nevermind what I said, I think that this is lasius pallitarsis, possibly neoniger

[T.C.]

doesn't that look more like a social parasite?

[Batspiderfish]

It does kinda look like Lasius claviger or Lasius umbratus to me. A shot from above, showing off the width of the head, would probably cinch it.

Edited by Batspiderfish, October 3 2016 - 9:08 PM.

[HumanSuit]

Uh oh. That's a bummer.

http://i1149.photobu...zpsdavy3paa.jpg

[Canadian anter]

It's just that the first image looked like it had a huge gaster. I agree with parasitic lasius because of the last picture now

[HumanSuit]

Awe. That's sad. So my only option is to let her go? This was my first queen. I was sooo excited!

[Batspiderfish]

Awe. That's sad. So my only option is to let her go? This was my first queen. I was sooo excited!

 

http://www.formicult...cial-parasites/

[HumanSuit]

I actually found that thread just a moment ago! I'm going to do a load of research and give it a shot.

Thank you so much for all your help.