12 replies to this topic

[LearningAntz]

1. Location of Collection - In a park nearby a forest where moss was beside.
2. Date of Collection - August 17th 2018
3. Habitat of Collection - On an area with moss beside a forest
4. Length - 9mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern & texture - Brownish yellow, with a golden sheen when light hits it a certain way and shiny.
6. Distinguishing characteristics - 1 petiole node
9. Nuptial flight time and date - 6-9 PM August 17
10. Pictures -

Edited by LearningAntz, August 19 2018 - 1:44 PM.

[AntsBC]

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Edited by AntsBC, August 19 2018 - 1:49 PM.

[LearningAntz]

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Ah okay. Thank you. Which clues helped indicate your answer? If it’s one of the two, then I guess I have to wait to see whether they lay eggs or not.

[Canadian anter]

Could also be Lasius crypticus

[AntsAreUs]

 

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Ah okay. Thank you. Which clues helped indicate your answer? If it’s one of the two, then I guess I have to wait to see whether they lay eggs or not.

 

"The key distinguishing feature is that L. pallitarsis has a clearly defined offset, short, and upturned basal tooth on its mandible."

 

http://www.antwiki.o...ius_pallitarsis

 

L. neoniger are very common but very similar to L. pallitarsis in appearance.

[LearningAntz]

 

 

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Ah okay. Thank you. Which clues helped indicate your answer? If it’s one of the two, then I guess I have to wait to see whether they lay eggs or not.

"The key distinguishing feature is that L. pallitarsis has a clearly defined offset, short, and upturned basal tooth on its mandible."

http://www.antwiki.o...ius_pallitarsis

L. neoniger are very common but very similar to L. pallitarsis in appearance.

Oh yes, but I meant why pick those two species over say, Lasius crypticus and Lasius americanus? Thank you.

Also to anyone reading this. Is it possible that when there are hundreds of queens on the ground, that look just like this, that there could be multiple species? Or would it be just one? If there is a possibility of there being multiple, is the possibility slight, or common?

Edited by LearningAntz, August 19 2018 - 3:43 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

 

 

 

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Ah okay. Thank you. Which clues helped indicate your answer? If it’s one of the two, then I guess I have to wait to see whether they lay eggs or not.

"The key distinguishing feature is that L. pallitarsis has a clearly defined offset, short, and upturned basal tooth on its mandible."

http://www.antwiki.o...ius_pallitarsis

L. neoniger are very common but very similar to L. pallitarsis in appearance.

Oh yes, but I meant why pick those two species over say, Lasius crypticus and Lasius americanus? Thank you again.

Also to anyone reading this. Is it possible that when there are hundreds of queens on the ground, that look just like this, that there could be multiple species? Or would it be just one? If there is a possibility of there being multiple, is the possibility slight, or common?

 

I'm not too sure about Lasius crypticus but I do think it is possible. Lasius americanus are darker all around.

[LearningAntz]

I’m going with Lasius pallitarsis as Lasius subumbratus parasitizes them presumably over Lasius neoniger and I’ve found many Lasius subumbratus queens with these workers in their mandibles. I also did find many Lasius subumbratus queens at the time I caught the one in the pictures needed to be identified, one with a worker in its mandibles.

 

 

 

 

Lasius sp, either Lasius neoniger or Lasius pallitarsis.

Ah okay. Thank you. Which clues helped indicate your answer? If it’s one of the two, then I guess I have to wait to see whether they lay eggs or not.

"The key distinguishing feature is that L. pallitarsis has a clearly defined offset, short, and upturned basal tooth on its mandible."

http://www.antwiki.o...ius_pallitarsis

L. neoniger are very common but very similar to L. pallitarsis in appearance.

Oh yes, but I meant why pick those two species over say, Lasius crypticus and Lasius americanus? Thank you again.

Also to anyone reading this. Is it possible that when there are hundreds of queens on the ground, that look just like this, that there could be multiple species? Or would it be just one? If there is a possibility of there being multiple, is the possibility slight, or common?

I'm not too sure about Lasius crypticus but I do think it is possible. Lasius americanus are darker all around.

Thank you for your responses. They really helped.

 

EDIT: On my laptop and I've just now realized how awful the placement of these pictures look. On mobile it looks fine, though.

Edited by LearningAntz, August 19 2018 - 3:42 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

Lasius from the niger group may only be identified with, first, a look at the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles.

Multiple species will fly in suitable weather.

[LearningAntz]

Lasius from the niger group may only be identified with, first, a look at the hairs on the antennae and the teeth on the mandibles.

Multiple species will fly in suitable weather.

Hair on the antennal scapes and eggs laid already would indicate Lasius pallitarsis, correct? Since Lasius neoniger lays in the spring. Can’t get the queens to open their mandibles long enough to see the teeth and stay still at the same time but I can see hair on the scapes.

[rbarreto]

Lasius neoniger have hair on scapes and its possible for them to lay before winter.

Edited by rbarreto, August 21 2018 - 2:39 PM.

[LearningAntz]

Lasius neoniger have hair on scapes and its possible for them to lay before winter.

Darn I hadn’t known they could lay eggs before winter. I only knew that both Lasius pallitarsis and Lasius neoniger had hair on the scapes. Thanks for the information. Anyway I confirmed it was Lasius pallitarsis just recently after I’d posted my post by looking at the teeth. (Finally got a queen to stay still enough)

Edited by LearningAntz, August 21 2018 - 5:19 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

It's erect hairs on their antennal scapes, the direction that the hair is sticking out.