Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Other insects, spiders, etc.
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 [ID] Ant: Yellow Lasius sp., please!
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| Jason G |
Posted on 04-04-2010 01:20
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 Member Location: London UK Posts: 136 Joined: 22.12.08 |
Morning all, I saw this ant yesterday thinking it was Lasius flavus. I didn't know there were so many yellow ones it could be confused with! Anyway, my ID was questioned by someone and I agree. Looking at the jaws - it apparently almost lacks the largest, apical tooth. With this in mind I went through his options of Lasius and on comparing images with AntWeb of each, made these deductions: Flavus: Apical tooth too big, as was pointed out. In fact - of all of these it has the biggest one! Meridionalis: It doesn't appear to have enough teeth, and the apical is too big - appears twice the size of the others, each of which appear to be too small in comparison to my specimen's. Umbratus: Appears to have six., so not enough - mine looks to have eight. Sabularum: Too few teeth. My specimen has eight and this one has just five. Mixtus: A real possibility... it also has eight when compared to a pinned specimen on AntWeb. The apical seems only vaguely bigger, too. Still, the numbers add up! Additionally it seems to have the correct rear-end to the thorax - it appears to be the widest of these species here. The setae on the top surface of the body appears more localised in positioning as well - correct for my specimen. So... is my species Lasius mixtus on account of this? I'm hoping to return to the same spot and pick one up for better examination. I was there today too, and a nearby nest which I believe would be the home of the ant in question as it was within two foot of it - and found three Ant Woodlice in one of it's tunnels! Thanks. Take care, Jason Jason G attached the following image:  [27.12Kb] Edited by Jason G on 04-04-2010 01:23 London's Insects http://londoninve...hostia.com |
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| Jason G |
Posted on 04-04-2010 01:21
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Member Location: London UK Posts: 136 Joined: 22.12.08 |
...and the tooth-showing in question!
Jason G attached the following image:  [29.03Kb] London's Insects http://londoninve...hostia.com |
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