3 replies to this topic

[AnthonyP163]

I found two Lasius queens in September this year. I am 90% sure they are both different species but I am unsure what to call them. I cannot confirm that either of them are Lasius crypticus or Lasius neoniger, these are the only two species which I am considering right now. This might be pretty complicated. I've caught the rare, silverish-grey species of Lasius every year for about 3 years now. This year I am pretty sure I've caught a few, and I've been thinking they're Lasius crypticus. The key to Lasius queens has been mostly unhelpful.

 

Location of collection: Waukesha, WI.

Date of collection: Sept 1st (?)
Habitat of collection: Grass/Sidewalk, flying in air. This year is my first time finding the silver queens on the ground, and only one of them was. It had just landed.
Length: Both 7mm.
Nuptial flight time: 7-9PM

 

This is what I think is Lasius crypticus, it is shiny and silver. She has orange mandibles and antennae. Queen 1

 

 

This is what might be crypticus or neoniger. Her antennae and mandibles are not orange, more greyish-brown. Queen 2

 

Here are both queens. Left is Queen 1, Right is Queen 2.

 

Ask for any more pictures you might need. Thanks.

 

[Canadian anter]

First one looks to be neoniger, due to the even teeth. Second one is a bit weirder, but might be Lasius brevicornis

[AnthonyP163]

First one looks to be neoniger, due to the even teeth. Second one is a bit weirder, but might be Lasius brevicornis

The second one isn't brevicornis, I have a few queens of brevicornis and they're all much lighter and have different shaped heads. I also found brevicornis earlier on in the day. I see now that the pictures provided might have made it seem that way, I'll get some better ones soon, although the second queen isn't all in one piece anymore.     

 

If the first one is neoniger, what do you think the reason is for the extreme variation in color and gaster shape from my other neoniger queens? They were all caught in the same area on the same day. As far as I can observe and from what I've read, the teeth being even shouldn't mean anything when discerning between crypticus and neoniger. 

 

Thanks

[Canadian anter]

Well, the teeth are just an identifying characteristic from Lasius pallitarsis and Lasius crypticus from my experience. Colour variations are rampant among Lasius and there are brevicornis as dark as the second one for sure. If you really think it's niger-group though I can't really give any great input