8 replies to this topic

[chatogaster]

Hey,

 

Found this queen(?) hanging out in an area with many Lasius niger colonies during their nuptial flight. Seemed like she didn't want to fly anymore and was casually looking for a hiding spot. Size, color and body proportions similar to lasius, but that top thorax plate divided in three is funky. If not for these plates, I wouldn't have noticed it's different. Also after a day she still has her wings, while all lasius queens lost them as soon as they landed.

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection: Copenhagen, Denmark

2. Date of collection: 2017.7.26

3. Habitat of collection: city, pavement through a grass patch, sunny

4. Length (from head to gaster): 10mm

5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: black, somewhat matte, gaster with a silver shine - probably lots of tiny hairs

6. Distinguishing characteristics: top thorax plate divided in three parts

 

Sorry for the poor photos. Don't have a macro lens yet, so this is a flipped wide lens    Very hard to catch anything in focus.

 

 

[Bracchymyrmex]

Appears to be from the genus Lasius. Perhaps Lasius niger or neglectus.

[chatogaster]

Are there any reference photos that would confirm it? None of the photos of niger or neglectus I could find online feature a thorax like that.

[FeedTheAnts]

I highly doubt this is Lasius, I have no idea what it could be though. So strange with that thorax.

[Bracchymyrmex]

[Batspiderfish]

That is an interesting abnormality on a Lasius sp. queen.

[chatogaster]

@Bracchymyrmex: I know this photo, but none of the queens in it have a thorax like that...

[Jonathan21700]

Interesting and nice find! I guess it's just a mutation. Lasius for sure.

[chatogaster]

Got a macro lens for my phone, so that's better than nothing. Some new pictures.

 

During the week the queen hasn't lost its wings or laid eggs. A Lasius niger queen caught on the same day laid eggs a couple days ago already.

 

If it's indeed a Lasius niger with a mutation or a development flaw, it might have prevented it from flying and getting fertilized. Or maybe it's a social parasite? There are a few of Lasius sp. that are.