Multiple Queens 10/16 Maryland

Help with identifying the species your ants

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DrPants
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2016 1:34 pm
Location: Maryland

Multiple Queens 10/16 Maryland

Post: # 14005Post DrPants
Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:25 pm

There were a lot of ants flying yesterday afternoon.

#13 I am guessing is Brachymyrmex depilis.

# 12, and #14-#18 I am guessing are Lasius spp. I am hoping they aren't social parasites as I don't have colonies available for them to parasitize.

Here are some of them emerging from a nest:
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#12 6.5mm
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#13 ~4mm
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#14 6.5mm
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#15 6.5mm
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#16 6.5mm
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#17 6.5mm
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#18 6.5mm
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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Multiple Queens 10/16 Maryland

Post: # 14006Post Batspiderfish
Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:52 pm

Your guess of Brachymyrmex depilis is correct. The rest are Lasius claviger, a social parasite of other Lasius.

http://www.formiculture.com/topic/3252-much-ado-about-the-founding-of-lasius-temporary-social-parasites/

You typically don't use an entire colony to found for social parasites; you just need workers that are as young as possible. Nobody has successfully founded Lasius claviger in captivity, so you wouldn't be wrong to release these queens.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

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