I found two queens yesterday during a nuptial flight in Juab county, Utah in a desert shrub oak/pinyon pine biome. The flight also occurred with Lasius brevicornis and Solenopsis molesta. I'm assuming its some sort of social parasite of Lasius brevicornis, seeing as that was the only other Lasius species around and the only one I typically find in this biome. I've seen other parasitic Lasius queens before, but I haven't seen these.
Any ID would be helpful. I have some Lasius neoniger or americanus workers left over from a previous attempt of introducing a social parasite I could try them on. I do have a large brevicornis colony, but not sure I'm ready to sacrifice them for this. I also have another young neoniger and brevicornis colony from last year with a few workers I might try. Figured once I have a proper ID I can figure out what I should try first.
