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Regarding Lasius....


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14 replies to this topic

#1 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted August 1 2020 - 6:36 AM

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My goal for this year is Lasius but if I do not find one which I probably won’t because their not common in south va, I will buy one of antdrew’s spare Lasius any type of Lasius is fine unless it’s parasitic. But how should I go about trying to find a Lasius queen?
We don’t talk about that

#2 Offline AntsDakota - Posted August 1 2020 - 6:40 AM

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Lasius neoniger usually fly around Labor Day, so if you found any populations of the species they have a very predictable flight schedule. If the site is near you, then go as often as you can in the evenings around Labor Day to the area of the population, and you should catch the flights. L. americanus flies all throughout August and into September (but mostly in August), so their flights are more unpredictable and you're less likely to find them. If Lasius aren't common in your area, then those two species are your most likely candidates, although there is a chance you'll find some less common species, but doubtful.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#3 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted August 1 2020 - 6:43 AM

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Ok thank you I’m actually looking for neoniger, americanus, and brevicornis.
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We don’t talk about that

#4 Offline AnthonyP163 - Posted August 1 2020 - 7:37 AM

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L. americanus has been flying here for weeks already, so they've definitely been flying in Virginia. I believe that since Virginia is further south than here in Wisconsin, the L. neoniger would probably fly earlier too. The colonies here are just getting alates, so I bet yours will fly any day now.

 

Lasius flights typically occur late afternoon, 5-8PM. They'll fly when it's warm enough (probably over 80 Fahrenheit at least), and when there's not too much wind. L. neoniger and L. brevicornis prefer open areas, prairies or sometimes yards, while L. americanus is a woodland species, often nesting under rocks or in logs. When they fly, it is very noticable. Often dozens or hundreds of alates will climb to the top of surrounding vegetation and begin to take flight. 

 

Good luck


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#5 Offline AntsDakota - Posted August 1 2020 - 7:46 AM

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 Often dozens or hundreds of alates will climb to the top of surrounding vegetation and begin to take flight. 

Thousands, even.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 1 2020 - 7:55 AM

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I’ve found hundreds of queens now from every common species and several uncommon ones, but I’ve only ever seen ONE L. neoniger. I don’t know what the heck it is because these are really common in every picnic area around me. Maybe 2020 will be different?
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted August 1 2020 - 9:22 AM

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Wait antdrew have you found any non parasitic Lasius other than neoniger?
We don’t talk about that

#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 1 2020 - 9:25 AM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted August 1 2020 - 10:26 AM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.


Wow do you think that if you found a Lasius interjectus queen again you could start an colony with her own eggs?
We don’t talk about that

#10 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 2 2020 - 1:46 PM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.

Wow do you think that if you found a Lasius interjectus queen again you could start an colony with her own eggs?
Um... social parasites cannot start their own colonies.

#11 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 2 2020 - 1:59 PM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.

Wow do you think that if you found a Lasius interjectus queen again you could start an colony with her own eggs?
Um... social parasites cannot start their own colonies.
Hyperbole, wizard.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#12 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 3 2020 - 9:22 AM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.

Wow do you think that if you found a Lasius interjectus queen again you could start an colony with her own eggs?
Um... social parasites cannot start their own colonies.
Hyperbole, wizard.
I wasn’t talking about what you said. Kit asked if a L. interjectus queen could lay their own eggs to start a colony. (Also I think you should be saying “Hyperbole, Kit” I knew you were exaggerating).

#13 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 3 2020 - 9:55 AM

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My bad.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#14 Offline Antkid12 - Posted August 3 2020 - 11:45 AM

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 I’ve only ever seen ONE L. neoniger. I don’t know what the heck it is because these are really common in every picnic area around me. Maybe 2020 will be different?

Same, its kind of weird. 


Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 


#15 Offline AntsDakota - Posted August 3 2020 - 12:13 PM

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No, my friend, just 5,561 parasites.

Wow do you think that if you found a Lasius interjectus queen again you could start an colony with her own eggs?
Um... social parasites cannot start their own colonies.
Hyperbole, wizard.
I wasn’t talking about what you said. Kit asked if a L. interjectus queen could lay their own eggs to start a colony. (Also I think you should be saying “Hyperbole, Kit” I knew you were exaggerating).

 

Never completely understood everything everyone said, so Ill just stay out of this one.  :lol:


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version





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