Lasius Sp.?

[JoeyD101]

I know the pics are crap but it's the best I can do right now.
Location: Hendersonville NC
Length: 6-7mm
Date caught: 6/1/2018 (around 7pm EST)
Thanks in advance!

https://imgur.com/a/7XQ2U0t

[Batspiderfish]

Yes. Lasius interjectus, a social parasite.

[JoeyD101]

Oh wow, you are certain? I have no idea how to care for a parasitic queen, any advice is greatly appreciated.

[TheRealAntMan]

What I would do is go look under rocks, logs, or other lasius habitats. If you find a lasius nest, scoop up some cocoons and give them to your lasius queen to start he colony.

[Batspiderfish]

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

Some people claim they've been able to start Lasius parasite colonies with just cocoons, but the vast majority of accounts I've read failed to start this way.

[JoeyD101]

What I would do is go look under rocks, logs, or other lasius habitats. If you find a lasius nest, scoop up some cocoons and give them to your lasius queen to start he colony.

Does it have to be a lasius colony or will any brood do the trick?

[JoeyD101]

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

Some people claim they've been able to start Lasius parasite colonies with just cocoons, but the vast majority of accounts I've read failed to start this way.

Great info, thank you!

[MaxGen]

I tried with 2 colonies this year. Total failure. The cocoons turned grey and never eclosed. I guess the queens were completely incapable of providing any care...

Next year I'll try the chill method.

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

Some people claim they've been able to start Lasius parasite colonies with just cocoons, but the vast majority of accounts I've read failed to start this way.

[JoeyD101]

So from what I understand from reading this info, I need to find a lasius colony and capture some workers and brood and hope that they introduce properly using one of the listed methods as lasius queens are not capable of caring for brood in any way on their own. Correct me if I'm wrong. That being said, how in the world do I go about finding a lasius colony? I'm not sure I could identify it properly.

[AntDudeUSA]

Heyo man it feels super weird to see a location on the forum that I live next to anyways if you are wanting to try and find some Tetramorium they are flying I caught a queen 6/3/18 in Forest city so I would believe they are flying in hendo aswell