Posted by Jason G on 04-04-2010 02:20
#1
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
Edited by Jason G on 04-04-2010 02:23