Lasius emarginatus
Lasius emarginatus is a species of boreal formicine ants.
| Lasius emarginatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Genus: | Lasius |
| Species: | L. emarginatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lasius emarginatus (Olivier, 1792) | |
Description
Lasius emarginatus is a small ant, reaching a length of 3-5.5 mm in the workers, 7–10 mm in the females and 7-14.5 mm in males. In workers and females the thorax is reddish or brownish-red, while the head and the abdomen are brown. Males are completely brown.
The longevity of the queen reaches up to 30 years, but for workers it is limited to 3 years. The species is omnivore. Colonies are monogynous (one queen per colony). They are not aggressive but they do not mind attacking a potential predator or another colony to expand their hunting and harvesting territory.
Distribution
This species is present in the Western Palearctic ecozone (Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor).
Colony founding
The nuptial flight happens between June and August. Although normal independent colony foundation is usual, it can also be achieved through Pleometrosis, a process in which several queens work together to get the colony started, but eventually the future workers will kill or drive away all queens but the dominant one.
References
- Olivier, 1792 : Encyclopédie Méthodique. Histoire Naturelle, ou Histoire Naturelle des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Insectes]
- Fauna Europaea
