4 replies to this topic

[Klassien]

1. Location of collection: sidewalk; townhouse (suburbs)

2. Date of collection 4-16-17 8:46pm
3. Habitat of collection: Temp: 64F; 75% humidity
4. Length (to the nearest millimeter or 1/16th of an inch.) 8mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: reddish-orange head, reddish-orange body/gaster, translucent, no hairs apparent
7. Anything else distinctive: wings black to translucent
8. Nest description: not sure

​50 of them (winged); swarming

​apologies for the crappy photos

 

Edited by Klassien, April 16 2017 - 5:16 PM.

[VoidElecent]

Either Camponotus castanets (doubt it), or a Lasius parasite.

Edited by VoidElecent, April 16 2017 - 5:53 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

Ah, looks like Lasius interjectus is coming out.

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

 

Did you find them near their nest entrance?

Edited by Batspiderfish, April 16 2017 - 6:26 PM.

[Klassien]

Ah, looks like Lasius interjectus is coming out.

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

 

Did you find them near their nest entrance?

It is interjectus, and I'm not too sure about a nest entrance. They were all swarming around a tree overarching the sidewalk. There is a shed about 10ft away from the tree. Also, there were some dealates and possibly workers near by--I could of got one but only had the two test tubes. If their nuptial flight is supposed to happen in summer and fall, it doesn't make sense why they'd be out now. I assume they were infesting that tree or maybe the shed.

Edited by Klassien, April 16 2017 - 7:51 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

 

Ah, looks like Lasius interjectus is coming out.

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

 

Did you find them near their nest entrance?

It is interjectus, and I'm not too sure about a nest entrance. They were all swarming around a tree overarching the sidewalk. There is a shed about 10ft away from the tree. Also, there were some dealates and possibly workers near by--I could of got one but only had the two test tubes. If their nuptial flight is supposed to happen in summer and fall, it doesn't make sense why they'd be out now. I assume they were infesting that tree or maybe the shed.

 

 

We usually see them starting in May. I fear that if they were collected too close to the nest entrance that they are unmated;