18 replies to this topic

[Antcatcherpro3]

while looking for prenolepis queens, I found this small black queen out of the corner of my eye. Found in Jamaica Plain, MA. I was thinking maybe she was a Tapinoma sessile queen, but do they fly this early? She is also about the size of a small pheidole queen.

[VoidElecent]

We’re gonna need a picture for any attempt at an ID

[Antcatcherpro3]

Sorry. I was just taking them. 

Here...

They are not the best. I'll try to get more with a better camera.

Her thorax is kind of rusty in color.

otherwise she is black.

[NickAnter]

I think this is a parasitic Lasius queen. Not sure, since the pictures are less than perfect. I recommend shining a flashlight at a 45 degree angle from the tube, and taking the picture like that. Lighting is key in photography.

[ANTdrew]

Given the time of year, I’m basically certain this is Lasius claviger or some other parasite.

[Manitobant]

Parasitic lasius queen, I'm guessing lasius aphidicola. These guys hibernate over winter and then sneak into still hibernating host colonies in early spring to kill the queen. You will need lasius host workers in order to raise her. Normally callows are recommended, but this early in the season the best thing to do is dunk some host workers in vinegar to remove their scent and then introduce them to the queen.

Edited by Manitobant, March 27 2021 - 10:09 AM.

[Antcatcherpro3]

Will the vinegar kill the workers?

I will get better species so we can find out what species and what type of host it takes.

[Antcatcherpro3]

And what type of lasius do clavigar take as host?

[NickAnter]

This is most likely aphidicola, however, most species of parasitic lasius prefer americanus as their hosts. They should be pretty common in MA.

[Antcatcherpro3]

They are.

[Antcatcherpro3]

And manitobant said, put them in vinegar to get their scent away. Does vinegar kill ants?

How should I introduce the workers.

[NickAnter]

Since he said to put them in vinegar to introduce them, I would assume it would not kill them.

 

As he said, dunk them in vinegar, maybe let them dry out a bit, and then put the workers in with the queen.

[Antcatcherpro3]

k

[ANTdrew]

I say just realease her. These parasites aren’t worth the trouble for a beginner.

[NickAnter]

The vinegar thing is new, and it seems to be a lot more effective than the old methods. Its not like raising them is especially challenging once the workers are accepted, then, they're just like any small Lasius colony. At least from what I have read. Never had the good fortune to actually find one of them myself.

[Antcatcherpro3]

It worked! 1 of the workers dipped in vinegar was with the queen on the cotton when i got back from my walk.

(I only put 1 in just to make sure the workers would accept the queen)

[Kaelwizard]

It worked! 1 of the workers dipped in vinegar was with the queen on the cotton when i got back from my walk.

(I only put 1 in just to make sure the workers would accept the queen)

And no aggressiveness? Keep us updated because I really want to see how this goes.

[Manitobant]

It worked! 1 of the workers dipped in vinegar was with the queen on the cotton when i got back from my walk.
(I only put 1 in just to make sure the workers would accept the queen)

And no aggressiveness? Keep us updated because I really want to see how this goes.

it worked for me. I'm not too surprised.

[Antcatcherpro3]

Nvm..... I checked on them today, and the worker was crumpled in a ball near the cotton. I'll just set her free, or maybe next year, I can found a colony of lasius americanus and catch another one of these queens to take the nest or something like that.