6 replies to this topic

[Ernteameise]

Guess who just landed on me while I had a shower?

A light brown Lasius queen.

From the nuptial flight calender, this is either a parasitic Lasius umbratus or a pest species, Lasius brunneus. 

The queen is not dark enough to be another Lasius niger. 

I will have to take better pictures tomorrow and look at my ID keys.

I actually do not need another Lasius colony, and would not be confident enough to keep a pest species (Lasius brunneus will take over your house). 

However, if this is Lasius umbratus, I might try a parasitic founding or at least try and see if brood from my Lasius niger colony can jumpstart this colony (I will not let a parasitic queen lose on my Lasius niger colony). 

But If I try this, I will have to do a bit more research on how you go about it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mettcollsuss]

Lasius emarginatus

[Ernteameise]

Lasius emarginatus

You sure?

Here in Germany, they should start flying at the end of July. That is a month early.

I find these Lasius hard to tell apart, I will have to have a look at the ID keys when I come home from work.

 

In any case, sadly, emarginatus is also considered a pest species, so if it is that, I might not keep her. 

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

 

Lasius emarginatus

You sure?

Here in Germany, they should start flying at the end of July. That is a month early.

I find these Lasius hard to tell apart, I will have to have a look at the ID keys when I come home from work.

 

In any case, sadly, emarginatus is also considered a pest species, so if it is that, I might not keep her. 

 

I would point out that the old records about what time of year what went on, is something that is not as reliable as it used to be. Time frames related to typical temperatures and moisture levels at a time of year are shifting. And the creatures reacting to environmental conditions rather than a hard clock, are shifting with it.

Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, June 23 2025 - 7:17 AM.

[Ernteameise]

10 days have passed- and the queen has removed her wings (so I think she is fertile).

However, she has not layed any eggs yet. 

I still suspect it might be a parasitic Lasius like umbratus.

This is her today:

I decided to give her some Lasius niger pupae from my colony, I am curious if she will accept the new workers. 

Lasius niger is host to many parasitic Lasius species, so I thought it is worth a try.

I have never tried something like that before.

[ANTdrew]

The gaster is too big for a parasite. Also, Mettcollsuss is the most trustworthy identifier on here, so I’d trust his judgement.

[RushmoreAnts]

Lasius social parasites do not open pupae. If she does, you have your answer. I second trusting Mettcollsuss, he is studying entomology and knows what he's talking about.