Lasius subglaber

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Lasius subglaber
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Lasiini
Genus: Lasius
Section: flavus clade
Species group: claviger
Species: L. subglaber
Binomial name
Lasius subglaber
Emery, 1893

Lasius subglaber casent0104878 profile 1.jpg

Lasius subglaber casent0104878 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Synonyms

This subterranean ant nests in soil under stones and in rotten stumps. It may makes small soil mounds in forests and in small treefall gaps. Like many species in the claviger group, L. subglaber is thought to feed on honeydew secreted by root-feeding aphids. But also like other species in the claviger group, it has been rarely studied in the field. (Ellison et al., 2012)

At a Glance • Temporary parasite  

Identification

Ellison et al. (2012) - All species in the claviger group smell like citronella when disturbed or crushed. Lasius subglaber can be confused with Lasius claviger and Lasius interjectus, as all three have sharply pointed petioles, but L. subglaber uniquely has few erect hairs on its body and virtually none on its cheeks. The erect hairs that are present on its body are short and wispy, unlike the long, robust erect hairs of the other species in the claviger group.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

The known range extends in a band from Saskatchewan and the Black Hills of South Dakota, east to central Maine and southern New York, with a southern extension into eastern North Carolina and northern Georgia.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 50.077778° to 34.722939°.

   
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Nearctic Region: Canada, United States (type locality).

A dated view of Lasius subglaber occurrence records (filled circles) Wing 1968

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

This section regarding this ants biology is reported, slightly modified, from Wing (1968).

Field notes were available for 15 samples that I had collected in Maine, Minnesota, and North Carolina. In addition, 6 of the samples sent to me for study had associated biological data. The summary below includes the data on these 21 samples plus some notes from the literature, where identity of species could be verified. The sample of workers from Morehead City, Carteret Co., North Carolina, reported by Carter (1962b) as claviger, is subglaber. About 2/3 of the colonies were collected in woods or in small clearings in woods; the rest were found nesting in the open. Stones formed the immediate cover for nearly 1/2 of the nests, with low but often sizable mounds accounting for about 1/4 of the colonies. The rest were found nesting in soil associated with stumps, logs, roots, etc. Perhaps the most unusual nest was one located west of Old Town, Maine in an open area overgrown by Crataegus bushes. I found this populous colony nesting in an abandoned Formica exsectoides mound. These mounds were common in the area, but all that I checked other than the nest in question were populated by exsectoides. The Lasius subglaber colony occupied the approximate half of the nest that faced southeast, and the rest of the mound was totally unoccupied. The chambers and galleries dug or reconstructed by the subglaber workers extended well into the ground. Several other subglaber nests in the immediate area were situated in the shade of an overhanging bank; all but one of these nests were covered by stones. The 21 samples of subglaber from throughout the range appeared to show no more than random association between the type of immediate nest-cover and whether the nests were in woods or in the open. Kannowski (1956) gives notes on a nest that he collected on the North Dakota prairie. The altitudinal range for the subglaber samples was from about sea level to 5000 feet. Most nests were collected at low altitudes, usually well under 1000 to 1100 feet. However, some of the few collections from the Black Hills of South Dakota, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia ranged up to about 5000 feet.

Reproduction

Dated samples with one or both sexual forms numbered 25. Several colonies with queen pupae or callows were found in the last half of July. Adult alates associated with workers had the extreme dates of July 28 and September 7. Dates for alate queens not associated with workers ranged from August 1 to September 21. A single dealate queen was found overwintering under trash in woods in Sampson Co., North Carolina on November 22, 1954. Wheeler (1908) reported nuptial flights on July 23, but the only MCZ specimens that I have seen bear the date of July 28. In either case these flights were probably somewhat earlier than is usual for this species in most years. The 25 samples indicate that flights usually begin in early August and perhaps extend into September in some years.

Colony Founding

Virtually nothing is known about this taxon. One literature reference, which is something of an enigma, gives evidence for polygyny in subglaber, latipes, or latipes × claviger. Gaige (1916) reported the collection on June 13, 1914 of a small latipes colony on Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co., Michigan. He stated that the colony contained about 50 workers and 2 dealate queens. The nest was beneath the bark on the underside of a rotten log. The only specimens that I received for study from this sample were 3 workers belonging to subglaber. The identity of the queens remains uncertain. If they were actually latipes or latipes × claviger this would account for the sample determination of latipes. Either of the two queens then considered to be dimorphs of latipes are so distinct that a mistake could hardly be made in their determination. Once Gaige had seen the queens, he probably gave the workers a cursory glance at most. In making routine determinations of samples, many of us are often guilty of depending solely on distinctive queens - an excellent way, of course, to miss recognizing mixed colonies. Whatever the identity of the queens, polygyny is indicated. If, however, the queens were not subglaber, then workers all or partly referable to subglaber would suggest a mixed colony with subglaber as the host species.

This species is likely to be a temporary parasite, but its host is unknown.

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • subglaber. Lasius (Acanthomyops) claviger var. subglaber Emery, 1893i: 642 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953c: 155 (l.). Combination in Acanthomyops: Creighton, 1950a: 433; in Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13. Subspecies of claviger: Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 533. Raised to species and senior synonym of clavigeroides: Creighton, 1950a: 433. See also: Buren, 1950: 185; Wing, 1968: 121.
  • clavigeroides. Lasius (Acanthomyops) clavigeroides Buren, 1942: 406 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Subspecies of subglaber: Buren, 1950: 185. Junior synonym of subglaber: Creighton, 1950a: 433.

Description

Worker

Wing 1968 Lasius subglaber

Wing (1968) - Superficially similar to Lasius claviger, closely similar to Lasius occidentalis. Standing body hairs delicate to fairly delicate, mostly short, sparse to moderately numerous. Gula usually has few or no standing hairs. Propodeum usually convex in profile. Crest of erect petiolar scale usually below level of propodeal spiracles, moderately blunt and not emarginate in most cases. Antennal scapes with pubescence decumbent to strongly suberect. Pubescence on gaster and head ranging from moderately dilute to dense. See section on variation for separation of subglabcr from several other species, especially occidentalis.

Queen

Wing (1968) - Superficially similar to smaller claviger specimens. Standing body hairs delicate, short, and fairly sparse. Standing hairs on dorsum of gaster largely confined to posterior edges of tergites beyond first. Crest of petiolar scale moderately blunt, straight, very feebly emarginate or slightly convex. Anterior and posterior surfaces of scale flat; upper sides more or less straight. Scapes and funiculi somewhat clavate. Body size small, HW usually 1.37 mm or less. Pubescence on gula and appendages, especially scapes, usually suberect and conspicuous, at least decumbent. Amount of pubescence on gaster, number of standing hairs on gula, and body color variable; see discussion under the section on variation.

Male

Wing (1968) - Similar to occidentalis, but larger, AL 1.35 to 1.60 mm. Crest of petiolar scale moderately sharp, straight or nearly so. Standing body hairs delicate; gula has few very short hairs, or none. Antennal scapes short, robust, covered with suberect pubescence; SL greater than 0.60 mm, S1 less than 70. Head quite pubescent, gaster with pubescence varying from moderate to dilute. Body color very dark brown.

Hybrids

Wing (1968) described a number of hybrid forms of this species.

Lasius murphyi × subglaber hybrid

Wing 1968 murphyi × subglaber hybrid

This taxon is known from only 2 collections made by R. Sanwald in Suffolk Co., Long Island, New York : Medford, August 1961, and N. E. Patchogue, September 1960, in moist open woods.

Worker

Resembles a small latipes specimen with standing body hairs fewer and shorter. Pubescence on antennal scapes predominantly suberect. Eyes very small. CI 96 or more.

Crest of petiolar scale often with a median notch. Pubescence dilute to moderate, denser on front of head than on dorsum of gaster. Color yellow to pale brownish yellow.

Queen

Somewhat similar in form and size to larger subglaber specimens. Body pilosity coarse, often with tips blunt, unevenly distributed in a pattern suggesting murphyi. Pilosity on gula appressed to suberect ; on propodeum tangled and flexed. Scale densely pilose, with crest blunt and sometimes with a median notch. Antennal scapes moderately clavate, covered with suberect and decumbent pubescence. Head somewhat deformed. SI 71-74, CI 94-96.

Pubescence dilute to moderate. Color yellowish brown.

Male

Unknown.

subglaber × Lasius plumopilosus hybrid

Wing 1968 subglaber x plumopilosus hybrid

A single sample collected by R. Sanwald in Selden, Suffolk Co., New York, August 1961, in sandy area.

Worker

Similar to subglaber in general appearance and size, but with standing body hairs much coarser, strongly barbulate, and pubescence on antennal scapes conspicuously suberect.

Crest of petiolar scale moderate, often faintly emarginate. Pubescence moderate to moderately dense over most of body and appendages, but that on posterior dorsum of gaster dilute. Color yellow to brownish yellow.

Queen

Resembles a small subglaber specimen with exceptionally low HW. Standing body hairs strongly barbulate, coarser, and a little more numerous than in subglaber. Dorsum of gaster with pilosity somewhat irregularly distributeq, but chiefly • confined to posterior edges of tergites.

Antennal scapes with pubescence loosely appressed to decumbent. Body and appendages with moderately dense pubescence except on posterior dorsum of gaster where it is fairly dilute. Crest of petiolar scale moderately blunt, not emarginate. Color brown, more or less like that of darker claviger queens.

Male

Unknown.

Type Material

Wing (1968) - Type locality: Washington, D.C. Location of types: A queen, a worker, and a male in the American Museum of Natural History the following data: Washington, D.C., Aug. 2, 1891, No. 386. These three specimens, labelled "co types", were presumably collected by T. Pergande. Creighton (1950) stated that types were in the National Museum of Natural History and AMNH. However, the USNM material sent to me for study did not contain any subglaber types. There is material in the Museum of Comparative Zoology that bears a type label. These "type" specimens were given to the MCZ by the Curator of the Emery Collection; they represent a sample of the specimens collected by Wheeler at Rockford, Illinois. It thus appears that the only types located in this country are in the AMNH.

References

  • Bolton, B. 1995b. A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 504 pp. (page 53, catalogue)
  • Carroll, T.M. 2011. The ants of Indiana (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). M.S. thesis, Purdue University.
  • Creighton, W. S. 1950a. The ants of North America. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 104: 1-585 (page 433, Combination in Acanthomyops, and senior synonym of clavigeroides)
  • Ellison, A.M., Gotelli, N.J., Farnsworht, E.J., Alpert, G.D. 2012. A Field Guide to the Ants of New England. Yale University Press, 256 pp.
  • Emery, C. 1893k. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der nordamerikanischen Ameisenfauna. Zool. Jahrb. Abt. Syst. Geogr. Biol. Tiere 7: 633-682 (page 642, worker, queen, male described)
  • Ward, P.S. 2005. A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 936: 1-68 (page 13, revived combination in Lasius (Acanthomyops))
  • Wheeler, G. C.; Wheeler, J. 1953c. The ant larvae of the subfamily Formicinae. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 46: 126-171 (page 155, larva described)
  • Wing, M. W. 1968a. Taxonomic revision of the Nearctic genus Acanthomyops (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Mem. Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. 405: 1-173 (page 121, see also)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Carroll T. M. 2011. The ants of Indiana (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Master's Thesis Purdue university, 385 pages.
  • Coovert, G.A. 2005. The Ants of Ohio (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Ohio Biological Survey Bulletin New Series Volume 15(2):1-196
  • Del Toro, I. 2010. PERSONAL COMMUNICATION. MUSEUM RECORDS COLLATED BY ISRAEL DEL TORO
  • Emery C. 1893. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der nordamerikanischen Ameisenfauna. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 7: 633-682.
  • Frye J. A., T. Frye, and T. W. Suman. 2014. The ant fauna of inland sand dune communities in Worcester County, Maryland. Northeastern Naturalist, 21(3): 446-471.
  • Gregg, R.T. 1963. The Ants of Colorado.
  • Kannowski P. B. 1956. The ants of Ramsey County, North Dakota. American Midland Naturalist 56(1): 168-185.
  • Lubertazi, D. Personal Communication. Specimen Data from Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard
  • Lynch J. F. 1988. An annotated checklist and key to the species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Chesapeake Bay region. The Maryland Naturalist 31: 61-106
  • MacGown, J.A. and JV.G. Hill. Ants of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina).
  • Merle W. W. 1939. An Annotated List of the Ants of Maine (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Entomological News. 50: 161-165
  • Shik, J., A. Francoeur and C. Buddle. 2005. The effect of human activity on ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) richness at the Mont St. Hilaire Biosphere Reserve, Quebec. Canadian Field-Naturalist 119(1): 38-42.
  • Talbot M. 1976. A list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Edwin S. George Reserve, Livingston County, Michigan. Great Lakes Entomologist 8: 245-246.
  • Wheeler G. C., J. N. Wheeler, and P. B. Kannowski. 1994. Checklist of the ants of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The Great Lakes Entomologist 26(4): 297-310
  • Wheeler G. C., and E. W. Wheeler. 1944. Ants of North Dakota. North Dakota Historical Quarterly 11:231-271.
  • Wheeler, G.C. and J. Wheeler. 1963. Ants of North Dakota
  • Wheeler, G.C. and J. Wheeler. 1988. A checklist of the ants of Wyoming. Insecta Mundi 2(3&4):230-239
  • Wheeler, G.C., J. Wheeler and P.B. Kannowski. 1994. CHECKLIST OF THE ANTS OF MICHIGAN (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE). Great Lakes Entomologist 26:1:297-310
  • Wheeler, G.C., J. Wheeler, T.D. Galloway and G.L. Ayre. 1989. A list of the ants of Manitoba. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Manitoba 45:34-49
  • Wing M. W. 1939. An annotated list of the ants of Maine (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Entomological News 50:161-165.
  • Wing M. W. 1968. Taxonomic revision of the Nearctic genus Acanthomyops (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Memoirs of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station 405: 1-173.