3 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

Yesterday I found a lot of dealate Lasius parasite species(they were the ones that smell exactly like lemons, I even squashed on to make sure of this), but one weird thing I noticed is that they were all digging founding chambers. I thought parasitic species march right into a colony to take it over, why are they digging founding burrows? 

[Penguin]

I believe they do this (may be dependant on the Sp.) because they have to hibernate in their own cell, then infiltrate a colony after hibernation rather than right after they fly. (Possibly because they are more "groggy" so they are not as vigilant and easier to infiltrate and "trick" the colony with pheromones, sort of like the fridge method of parasite introduction)

Edited by Penguin, January 13 2018 - 7:55 PM.

[Batspiderfish]

Lasius claviger and Lasius umbratus tend to hibernate before trying to find a host colony in the spring, although they don't necessarily have to. Most Lasius social parasites will try to get themselves into a colony soon after they fly.

Edited by Batspiderfish, January 13 2018 - 8:10 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Lasius claviger and Lasius umbratus tend to hibernate before trying to find a host colony in the spring, although they don't necessarily have to. Most Lasius social parasites will try to get themselves into a colony soon after they fly.

 

I believe they do this (may be dependant on the Sp.) because they have to hibernate in their own cell, then infiltrate a colony after hibernation rather than right after they fly. (Possibly because they are more "groggy" so they are not as vigilant and easier to infiltrate and "trick" the colony with pheromones, sort of like the fridge method of parasite introduction)

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you both for your answers.