Colony founding and social parasitism in Lasius (Acanthomyops)

Abstract

We investigated colony foundation behavior of three species of the Lasius claviger group, L. latipes, L. interjectus and L. claviger, using field observations and laboratory experiments. Laboratory studies included observing gyne behavior prior to interaction with host colonies (e.g. grouping, overwintering, feeding) and experiments in which gynes were introduced to putative host colonies. Observations of gyne parasitic behavior immediately after mating flights in the field and the discovery of mixed colonies both confirm the parasitic behavior of these species and point toward a wide host species range including two cases of hyperparasitism. L. interjectus and L. latipes enter the host colony immediately after the nuptial flight, while L. claviger may hibernate and enter in the spring. Laboratory experiments showed that L. interjectus gynes prefer to group and suffer lower mortality when in a group, which is consistent with field observations of L. interjectus gynes entering host colonies in large numbers. Details on behavior of L. latipes alpha and beta form gynes are also given.

Phylogeny, evolution, and classification of the ant genus Lasius, the tribe Lasiini and the subfamily Formicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…atopus'. Only a handful of recently published studies have addressed the behaviour of some of the more rarely encountered species (e.g., Raczkowski & Luque, 2011), indicating that more effort is needed to elucidate the biology of Lasius.…”

“…This is followed by attrition of the host and eventually a colony consisting solely of parasite conspecifics. Social parasitism is known in species currently classified in subgenera Austrolasius Faber, Acanthomyops Mayr, Chthonolasius Ruzsky, and Dendrolasius Ruzsky (Hölldobler & Wilson, 1990;Buschinger, 2009;Raczkowski & Luque, 2011). Certain species of the subgenera Chthonolasius and Dendrolasius are known to use ascomycete fungi to bind masticated wood and soil to reinforce nest walls.…”

First Observations of Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis) Communal Oviposition within An Active Ant Nest of Lasius interjectus

“…Few ant species in the genus Lasius build mound nests, as most are subterranean (Talbot 1973) and use rotting stumps, or nest beneath leaf litter and stones (Wing 1968). However, colonies have been found in small mounds for both Citronella Ant and Lasius claviger Roger (Smaller Yellow Ant) (Petersen et al 2011, Talbot 1973, Wheeler and Wheeler 1953) and many Lasius species are considered to be parasitic colony founders (Raczkowski and Luque 2011). Citronella Ants are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forest, grasslands, edge habitats, and in proximity to developed anthropogenic structures (Wing 1968).…”

“…Citronella Ants are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forest, grasslands, edge habitats, and in proximity to developed anthropogenic structures (Wing 1968). Citronella Ants are known to be temporary parasites of 6 other species of Lasius (de la Mora et al 2020, Raczkowski and Luque 2011). Ants in the genus Lasius are known to tend aphids and move them between plants (Offenberg 2001, Pontin 1978, Way 1963, Willis and Landis 2018).…”