Is this even a Queen - and if so what kind?

[310Ants]

Hi again all - I found this lady in Bowie, MD on 01 June 2019 in my neighborhood. She was crawling along the curb - seemingly looking for a place to hide. I had a bottle with me and picked her up!

She is about 9.525mm long.

When I first got her she was pretty restless for the first few hours but now she just sits quietly on the moist cotton.

Any ideas? Is she even a queen?

[TheRealAntMan]

Parasitic Formica queen.

[AGENTSCEPTILE]

Parasitic Formica queen.

Do you know the species?

[TheRealAntMan]

Parasitic Formica queen.

Do you know the species?

It's easiest to iD parasitic Formica when workers arrive.

[AGENTSCEPTILE]

Ah, ok.

[310Ants]

Oh wow!
I probably should let her go then, huh?

[TheRealAntMan]

If you think you can handle her, I would keep her.

[TheRealAntMan]

Missed the fact that she was 9mm, this is Lasius interjectus.

[310Ants]

Missed the fact that she was 9mm, this is Lasius interjectus.

Hmm, then I should definitely let her go then, yes? I read last night that they only feed on the secretions of certain types of mealybugs/aphids that feed on the roots of plants?

[TheRealAntMan]

If you're a beginner I recommend that you release her as they are not a starter species. But if you're up for the challenge I suggest you keep her. To start you will need some host Lasius pupae (about 10-20 will do) and at least one callow Lasius worker (so the worker can open up the maturing pupae as the queen will not). She will not require aphids or mealybugs, just give her sugar water or honey and protein, preferably the soft-bodies of Drosophila. When the queen is ready she will lay eggs and the host Lasius will care for them.