A young Lasius foundress queen raises her first crop of workers sealed in an underground chamber. She feeds the developing larvae with reserves from her own body.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Lasius nearcticus - workers, eggs, and first instar larvae in the brood nest.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Lasius nearcticus - workers, eggs, and first instar larvae in the brood nest.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Lasius nearcticus is a common subterranean ant found in forested regions of eastern North America.

South Bristol, New York, USA
A young Lasius foundress queen raises her first crop of workers sealed in an underground chamber. She feeds the developing larvae with reserves from her own body.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Lasius neoniger, queen after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Lasius alienus is a common woodland ant in eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Lasius alienus workers tend to young larvae in the nest. 

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Lasius alienus is a common woodland ant in eastern North America. Note the small springtail in the foreground that apparently doesn't mind the ant's company.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Lasius foundress queen raises her first crop of workers sealed in an underground chamber. She feeds the developing larvae with reserves from her own body.

South Bristol, New York, USA
A young Lasius foundress queen raises her first crop of workers sealed in an underground chamber. She feeds the developing larvae with reserves from her own body.

South Bristol, New York, USA
A young Lasius foundress queen raises her first crop of workers sealed in an underground chamber. She feeds the developing larvae with reserves from her own body.

South Bristol, New York, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013