3 replies to this topic

[JoeyD101]

1. Location of collection: Hendersonville NC Walmart parking lot.

2. Date of collection: 6/1/2018
3. Habitat of collection: She was circling an island in the parking lot.
4. Length: 6-7mm (she won't stand still...)
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: In the sunlight, she appeared to be very red. In artificial lighting, she looks more brownish.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: I can see only one petiole bump, if that's what they're called.
7. Anything else distinctive: I found her near a colony of small black ants, slightly smaller than she is. They were all over the place and she was the only red ant in sight.
8. Nest description: Could not locate a nest.

https://imgur.com/a/7XQ2U0t

The pics are not the best, I'm aware and I apologise, my scope decided not work because why wouldn't it?

 

Edited by JoeyD101, June 2 2018 - 2:21 PM.

[LC3]

Embed images next time. Also it's called a petiole node.

 

That's a parasitic Lasius. Sounds like you caught her while she was attempting to infiltrate a nest or she just got booted out of one she infiltrated earlier in the year, since they are normally found much earlier in the year when they start looking for nests to infiltrate, June is quite late.

[JoeyD101]

Would you happen to know how to care for this queen? I have absolutely no idea what to do with her. I assume she won't lay eggs without extant brood present, but that's mere assumption. If not, would you know where I can find such info?

[LC3]

http://www.formicult...asites/?p=37852

 

Here's a good guide to parasitic Lasius. The jist of it is that they need workers, not brood. As they can't rear brood, unlike parasitic Formica.