4 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hi!
I recently caught an enormous group of Lasius neoniger queens nestled under a rock (eleven queens!). After looking at them more carefully, I noticed that one of them stuck out. She kept her wings, and looked identical to the rest except for a nearly black gaster. I fed them all honey, and the characteristic yellow gaster stretch markings appeared on all of the queens except for the winged one. Does the winged queen have a parasite, or is it a different species living amongst Lasius neoniger?

[Nathant2131]

Darker coloring could point to Lasius alienus. But I'm not sure if they fly this late.

[Batspiderfish]

You know what they say about pictures.

[AnthonyP163]

Hi. I agree with Batspiderfish that we need pictures. I want to say I also have this problem. I have researched all the Lasius in my area and not one seems to match the queen, except for your description! She was infertile however, and just recently died.

[Connectimyrmex]

Holy cow, the one that I found is possibly infertile as well! I'm trying to upload pics. I might just upload an iPhone pic.

 

Even though its probably not anything new, I'm still calling her Lasius neoniger picea...