4 replies to this topic

[matt123]

Question regarding social parasite ants...

 

I just went for a quick queen hunt and saw a colony of orange citronella ants (lasius claviger or interjectus) with alates waiting to fly, just north of NYC.

Are these orange ants social parasites?

I wouldn't mind catching a few, I have two tubes unoccupied at the moment. and have a c. pennsylvanicus queen in one who hasn't laid eggs or shed her wings, so she might be realesed soon.

If they are social parasites I don't think I will bother since this is my first year with queen ants, want to get more experience before I start tackling bigger challenges.

[Antsinmycloset]

Citronella certainly are social parasites, yes. If you really want some (And who wouldn't? They're gorgeous) try to get a Lasius alienus or Lasius neoniger queen as soon as you can. If you can get an established colony to collect brood from, it should be pretty smooth sailing. I've been caught unprepared every time I've found parasitic queens, and all ants involved really suffered from my fumbling. You might be able to buy some brood from local anters, too.

 

Here's a great post by Batspiderfish, if you haven't read it yet.

[Nathant2131]

It seems that the parasites of the claviger group (Citronella ants) are much harder to get going than those of the umbratus group.  Good on you if you get a colony going.

[ultraex2]

More than likely they are, you can generally tell a parasitic Lasius from a fully claustral one by the size of their gaster in comparison to the rest of their body.

 

I could be wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure the late-flying parasitic Lasius won't bother to lay any eggs until after they hibernate the following year, so you have plenty of time to find brood/workers from a host colony.

[matt123]

I think I will pursue it next year. these ants are everywhere, so it's not like I won't have another oppurtunity. Besides, this is my first year doing this, I want to see how my other queens turn out after hibernation.

I used to love turning over rocks as a kid and always saw them a lot.