Lasius latipes flight

[batspiderfish]

Lasius latipes has had their flight in Maine recently. I have captured 5 partially-dealated queens, and introduced those to a number of Lasius umbratus host workers. If they survive past a week and a half (they are notoriously difficult to get started), then I will start a journal for them here. I could well be the only person who keeps this species, if I succeed.

One of the most bizarre-looking Lasius queens out there, if you ask me. They are built like tanks!
www.antweb.org/bigPicture.do?name=casent0102771&shot=p&number=1

I'm in the middle of moving. When I get my camera out again, I will photograph any still-living queens.

[Wood~Ant]

Good luck with them, they are indeed an interesting looking Lasius.

[IceWhyte]

It has legs like tree trunks

[batspiderfish]

Well, no queen deaths so far (at this point, I'm not going to be surprised if all five queens survive for a long period of time.) There is apparent trophallaxis behavior between the queens and workers. Unlike my Lasius subumbratus, the L. latipes queens don't seem very interested in each other.

I am reunited with my camera, so there should be some photographs within the week.