Lasius americanus

Lasius americanus is a common woodland ant in eastern North America, and used to go under the name of L. alienus, a Eurasian species. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius americanus

This Lasius americanus worker hosts an Oplitis mite on her mid-leg. Mites are ubiquitous inhabitants of ant nests, although their biology and relationships to the ants is poorly understood.

Lasius americanus

Pulling back bark from a dead tree reveals the nest galleries of a colony of Lasius. South Bristol, New York, USA.

Lasius americanus

Lasius americanus 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

Lasius americanus

When a photographer disturbs their nest, these Lasius workers drag the larvae to safety. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius americanus

Workers tend to young larvae in the nest. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius americanus

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius americanus

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 americanus

Lasius americanus with worker cocoons in the brood nest. The dark spots are formed when fully grown larvae expel their accumulated waste as a single pellet, the meconium. To avoid soiling the nest, ant larvae do not defecate except to produce the meconium. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

Worker with a larva in the brood nest. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

Cocoons in the brood nest. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

Worker with with mealybugs in the underground nest. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius aphidicola ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

South Bristol, New York, USA

Lasius aphidicola

With mealybugs. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius aphidicola are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants. Vermilion River Observatory, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius aphidicola

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Lasius arizonicus

A Lasius (Acanthomyops) arizonicus citronella ant tends to a mealybug in an underground nest. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA

Lasius arizonicus

A Lasius (Acanthomyops) arizonicus citronella ant tends to a mealybug in an underground nest. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA

Lasius brevicornis

Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA

Lasius californicus

Lasius (Acanthomyops) californicus citronella ants with their underground "cattle": mealybugs that produce honeydew. Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

Lasius claviger

Lasius (Acanthomyops) claviger citronella ants tending to eggs. This species maintains large colonies and requires a high reproductive rate. Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA