Lasius
is a genus of formicine ants abundant across the north temperate zone in North America and Eurasia. These small, robust ants tend to be either dark in color and surface-foraging, or pale in color and subterranean. Lasius includes a number of temporary parasites that start colonies by invading nests of free-living ants, including the endemic North American citronella ants in the subgenus Acanthomyops.
A young Lasius (Acanthomyops) interjectus queen climbs vegetation to help launch herself on a mating flight. This species is a social parasite, and following her flight this queen will infiltrate the nest of another Lasius species and attempt to usurp the resident queen.
Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Lasius (Acanthomyops) interjectus queen climbs vegetation to help launch herself on a mating flight. This species is a social parasite, and following her flight this queen will infiltrate the nest of another Lasius species and attempt to usurp the resident queen.
Urbana, Illinois, USA
Canon EOS 7D |
Original size: 4744x3180 |
Current: 800x537 |
