34 replies to this topic

[Will230145]

I found a queen ant a while ago but AntsCanada couldn’t get an ID, I couldn’t get a measurement but I should be able to get ont tommorow, THANKS

https://imgur.com/gallery/qmT6f

Edited by Will230145, February 9 2018 - 7:08 PM.

[gcsnelling]

I suspect we need a little more information.

[Derpy]

From the looks of it, it kinda looks like prenolepis. Can you try to get some clearer shots?

[T.C.]

More info, until them I'm calling it lasius sp.

[Will230145]

https://imgur.com/gallery/0iprz

I caught her at the end of August
Hope it helps!

Edited by Will230145, February 9 2018 - 7:22 PM.

[Derpy]

I agree with TC probably Lasuis, no Prenolepis Imparis queens fly that late.

[Will230145]

She is 9mm

[T.C.]

I'm guessing Lasius neoniger, but in all reality that's a shot in the dark. We have a template here for ID's. However where was this caught,? Region?

Edited by T.C., February 9 2018 - 7:27 PM.

[Will230145]

Oh, sorry, forgot about that, caught is US in Western Pennsylvania

[Will230145]

I just read enlarged gaster by T.C., and my queen we are IDing did the EXACT thing, and looks the same as yours!

[Derpy]

So that’s means you have Lasuis Neoniger! Congrats

[Will230145]

YAAAAAAY! THIS IS MY DREAM SPECIES!!! Is there a care sheet on them?

[Derpy]

Lasuis are one of the easiest ant species to keep so the care should be general. You can check online if there is a specific care sheet.

[Mettcollsuss]

She could also be Lasius flavus. The queens of the two species are extremely similar.

 

I have one that looks identical to yours. I can't pin down a positive ID for her, but if you want to know for sure, waiting for workers is probably the best way to tell. Lasius flavus and L. neoniger are almost exactly the same in terms of keeping them in captivity, the only real difference is how they look.

[noebl1]

@Mettcollsuss is right, it's pretty much impossible to tell what type of Lasius it is without very clear shots of the head for mandibles, antenna, etc.   @Batspiderfish with those shots could probably help narrow it down for you.

 

In 2016 I caught a bunch of Lasius queens in the fall, and they all looked identical (I also really wanted L. neoniger.)  Wasn't until the first nanitics eclosed did I get a better idea of what they were.  I had assumed Lasius neoniger as I thought they were the more popular species here, but maybe 25-30% were, rest were L. flavus and similar sp.

[Will230145]

Ok, should i start a journal?

[noebl1]

Ok, should i start a journal?

 

Why not?   Worst case you can change the title later if you find it's not L. neoniger.

 

I find these a fun species, and one I *really* wanted as well.  I find L. neonger are very clever (I have one colony where they manage to escape their test tube portal, no idea *how*), and interesting to watch.  My suspected L. flavus colonies look great with their yellow/orange coloration, but tend to not forage as much and more reclusive being generally soil dwellers.  Both species tends to be pretty forgiving in regards to care.  As with some other ant species, the colony size can balloon based on feeding habits, however I restrict protein a bit to keep them from growing too quickly.  Mine were from Fall 2016 flights, and all the Lasius colonies probably have 10-20 workers when put into hibernation. I couldn't tell with the L. flavus as they tend to burrow in the cotton, but both L. neoniger colonies had huge brood piles ready for this Spring when I take them out.

Edited by noebl1, February 10 2018 - 11:03 AM.

[Will230145]

I looked at pictures with flavin queens, they had more yellowish limbs and antennae, whereas Neoniger queens have more of brown limbs and brown antennae, she has brown limbs, but we will just have to wait...

Do flavus wait before or after hibernation to lay? Mine waited after hibernation too lay eggs

Edit: I just realized her limbs and antennae are yellow...

Edited by Will230145, February 10 2018 - 7:58 AM.

[Will230145]

I saw her fly during nuptial flight and mate, but she flew from a brown colony, that looked like Lasius Neoniger, I think she is L. Neoniger!

[VoidElecent]

At this point with this limited information, there's really no way to tell if she's flavus group or niger group. L. neoniger can also have tints of yellow. 

 

As of now, here are your options:

 

L. niger group:

• Lasius neoniger (workers will be light brown to brown with shiny pubescence)
• Lasius alienus (workers will be dark brown to black/grey)
• Lasius palitarsis (workers will resemble  L. neoniger, but slightly larger)

L. flavus group:

• Lasius flavus 
• Lasius nearcticus

I'm really not completely sure how to distinguish the last two, I'm sure there's some complicated method that required intense magnification and several guides.

 

Please, in the future, follow at least some of the rule regarding posting an identification thread. Read the template and if you still don't get it, browse other ID threads to see what they look like.

Edited by VoidElecent, February 10 2018 - 12:05 PM.