14 replies to this topic

[AntsMAN]

My first guess is Lasius alienus or possibly pallitarsis, she looks just like my other ones only her legs look a little lighter and she looks a little bigger. Still really hot, had a very bit of rain last night.

 

 

1. Nova Scotia, Canada
2. 12:08PM August 7 2016
3. On my walkway in town
4. 7-8mm
5. Dark brown, lighter legs

 

 

 

 

Edited by AntsMAN, February 1 2017 - 10:42 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

A good picture of the mandibles, showing off the teeth, would likely separate this queen from the possibility of Lasius pallitarsis.

Edited by Batspiderfish, August 7 2016 - 9:56 AM.

[AntsMAN]

I just can't get a good shot of her.

 

[MrILoveTheAnts]

You actually need to be able to count the teeth. I wonder if getting her to feed on some sugar water might help getting the shot.

[Connectimyrmex]

You're catching queens like crazy! 

 

I think Pallitarsis, partially from color and gaster shape. Let's wait for BatSpiderFish to get here, though.

[Batspiderfish]

It is, in most likelihood, Lasius alienus, since this was collected too early in the year for Lasius neoniger (particularly this far north). Lasius pallitarsis IS present, and less is understood about its nuptial flight schedule, but it is not nearly as common in eastern North America. They are usually not that dark.

Having said that, the diagnostic material is not visible in these photographs. If you can get a good look at the antennal scapes (the antennal segment that attaches to the head), let us know if you see any hairs, if they are sticking straight out, or are simply appressed with the direction of the scape.

Edited by Batspiderfish, January 14 2017 - 8:54 PM.

[AntsMAN]

The hairs are sticking straight out, and she is the same size as my two Lasius alienus 7mm.

 

 

[Batspiderfish]

It looks a lot like Lasius alienus, but those do not have standing hairs on their antennal scapes. It could still be Lasius neoniger, but this would be a little early for them.

Edited by Batspiderfish, January 23 2017 - 4:54 PM.

[AntsMAN]

The Lasius neonigers I've caught are much larger (10-12mm). Isn't 7mm to small for Lasius neoniger?

When examining all three they look for the most part exactly the same.

 

Here are the other two Lasius alienus queens I have.

 

 

Edited by AntsMAN, January 24 2017 - 4:32 AM.

[AntsMAN]

It looks a lot like Lasius alienus, but those do not have standing hairs on their antennal scapes. It could still be Lasius neoniger, but this would be a little early for them.

 

The antennal scapes are the parts connecting the antenna to the head correct? 

If so I will have to try to get a better look at them all, as I only seen the hairs on the head itself beside the antennal scapes.

They all look the same 7mm length, darker body lighter yellowish legs.

 

Edited by AntsMAN, January 24 2017 - 6:14 AM.

[Batspiderfish]

 

It looks a lot like Lasius alienus, but those do not have standing hairs on their antennal scapes. It could still be Lasius neoniger, but this would be a little early for them.

 

The antennal scapes are the parts connecting the antenna to the head correct? 

If so I will have to try to get a better look at them all, as I only seen the hairs on the head itself beside the antennal scapes.

They all look the same 7mm length, darker body lighter yellowish legs.

 

 

The scapes are the longest segment of the antennae, which attach to the head. This drawing has standing hairs on the antennal scapes, so would not be Laisus alienus.

[AntsMAN]

 

 

It looks a lot like Lasius alienus, but those do not have standing hairs on their antennal scapes. It could still be Lasius neoniger, but this would be a little early for them.

 

The antennal scapes are the parts connecting the antenna to the head correct? 

If so I will have to try to get a better look at them all, as I only seen the hairs on the head itself beside the antennal scapes.

They all look the same 7mm length, darker body lighter yellowish legs.

 

 

The scapes are the longest segment of the antennae, which attach to the head. This drawing has standing hairs on the antennal scapes, so would not be Laisus alienus.

 

 

If there are no hairs what would my possibilities be?

[Batspiderfish]

Just Lasius alienus. There are those outside of the Lasius subgenus (niger group) that have no hairs on their scapes, but there's only one possibility, in this case. I thought so.

Edited by Batspiderfish, January 24 2017 - 9:33 AM.

[AntsMAN]

Just Lasius alienus. There are those outside of the Lasius subgenus (niger group) that have no hairs on their scapes, but there's only one possibility, in this case. I thought so.

 

Okay, great thanks. I just looked through all my pictures and they seem to be smooth no hairs, but I'll double check before labeling them.

Edited by AntsMAN, January 24 2017 - 10:36 AM.

[AntsMAN]

Just Lasius alienus. There are those outside of the Lasius subgenus (niger group) that have no hairs on their scapes, but there's only one possibility, in this case. I thought so.

 

I just had a better look at them through my camera, and I don't see any hairs on their scapes. Also the workers of Lasius pillitarsis are quite a bit lighter in color than the alienus workers. I'm going with Lasius alienus.

Edited by AntsMAN, February 1 2017 - 10:41 AM.