Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#347981
Alate ant - Lasius - female

Alate ant - Lasius - Female
Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
October 22, 2009

Moved
Moved from Ants.

Lasius sp. - female
Most likely subgenus Chtonolasius, i.e. L. umbratus or a close relative. Workers are mainly yellowish and rarely seen above ground.
These are parasitic species, whose young queens like this one individual don't found new colonies of their own. Instead, they try to overtake colonies of other Lasius species (like L. neoniger) after overwintering. Indeed, the name Chtonolasius means "killer" Lasius.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.