Lasius

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Lasius
Temporal range: 48.6–0 Ma Eocene – Recent
Lasius niger
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Lasiini
Alliance: Lasius genus group
Genus: Lasius
Fabricius, 1804
Type species
Formica nigra
Diversity
140 species
23 fossil species
(Species Checklist, Species by Country)

Lasius niger casent0005404 profile 1.jpg

Lasius niger

Lasius niger casent0005404 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen Label

Synonyms

Lasius is one of the most prominent and familiar of the Holarctic ant genera. From the time of Reaumur in the eighteenth century (Wheeler, 1926), European and North American entomologists have focused attention on it in countless general biological and taxonomic investigations which are today part of the classical foundation of myrmecology. It is probably best known for its conspicuous nuptial flights, its habit of tending and transporting homopterous insects, and the temporary parasitic behavior of some of its species. It has also attracted much attention as one of the several ant genera which have persisted in Europe and North America since early Tertiary times with only a small amount of visible evolutionary change. (Wilson 1955)

At a Glance • Diploid male  

Photo Gallery

  • Lasius 6057.jpg
  • Myrmecophilus acervorum (Orthoptera, family Myrmecophilidae) within the nest of a Lasius sp. Photo by Thomas Stalling.

Identification

The morphological distinctions between Lasuis and Acanthomyops have always been unambiguous but it has taken a recent molecular phylogenetic analysis (Janda et al. 2004) to settle whether or not these two groups represent two distinctive genera. The latter is well accepted today as a synonym of Lasius. It remains convenient for identification purposes to distinguish Acanthomyops as a distinctive species group within Lasius.

Nearctic species of Lasius with long maxillary palpi, those that were once thought to be distinctive from Acanthomyops, can be determined to species using this key by Wilson (1955) :

Wing (1968) provides the following in his revision of the Neartic Acanthomyops: Acanthomyops has short, 3-segmented maxillary palpi, while those of Lasius are 6-segmented and long. Another attribute of Acanthomyops that serves as a convenient diagnostic character for field collectors using a mouth-type aspirator is the presence of a characteristic odor produced by the mandibular glands of disturbed workers. This odor, a defense mechanism, is like that of oil of citronella or lemon verbena. As sensed by a collector with normal olfactory powers the odor is pronounced. A few species of Lasius possess a similar odor, but it is sensed, at most, as quite weak. Lasius umbratus probably has the strongest odor of any species of Lasius, yet it is decidedly weaker than that of all species of Acanthomyops I have collected.

There is also a somewhat outdated (1955) and restricted (no Nearctic Acanthomyops queens and males):

AntWeb icon 02.png See images of species within this genus

Keys including this Genus

Keys to Subgenera or Species Groups in this Genus

Keys to Species in this Genus

Distribution

Lasius occupies a purely Holarctic range. Northward it reaches northern Scandinavia, the Baikal region of Siberia, Kamchatka, southeastern Alaska, and southern Labrador. Southward it reaches Madeira, North Africa, northern Iraq, the southern Himalayas, the mountains of Formosa, the mountains of central Mexico, and northern Florida. Where it comes closest geographically to tropical faunas, as in southeastern Asia, it still retains its north-temperate character, i.e., limited to temperate vegetation at higher elevations and there associated chiefly with typically Holarctie ant genera. (Wilson 1955)

Distribution and Richness based on AntMaps

Species by Region

Number of species within biogeographic regions, along with the total number of species for each region.

Afrotropical Region Australasian Region Indo-Australian Region Malagasy Region Nearctic Region Neotropical Region Oriental Region Palaearctic Region
Species 0 0 0 0 35 14 21 89
Total Species 2851 1736 3047 932 840 4391 1767 2925

Fossils

Fossils are known from: Aix-en-Provence, France (Late Oligocene), Baltic amber, Baltic Sea region, Europe (Priabonian, Late Eocene), Berezovsky massif, Zakarpatskaya, Ukraine (Serravallian, Miocene), Bitterfeld amber, Baltic Sea region, Europe (Priabonian, Late Eocene), Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Montana, United States (Rupelian, Oligocene) (an unidentified species, LaPolla, 2023), Danish-Scandinavian amber (Priabonian, Late Eocene), Florissant, Colorado, United States (Late Eocene), Joursac, Auvergne, France (Late Miocene), Kishenehn Formation shale, Montana, United States (Lutetian, Middle Eocene), Lac Chambon, Auvergne, France (Pliocene), Parschlug, Austria (Serravallian, Miocene), Radoboj, Croatia (Burdigalian, Early Miocene), Rovno amber, Baltic Sea region, Europe (Priabonian, Late Eocene), Schossnitz (= Sosnica?), Silesia, Poland (Late Miocene), Shanwang, China (Early Miocene), Vishnevaya Balka Creek, Stavropol, Russian Federation (Middle Miocene).

Biology

Within this range it is among the most abundant of all insect genera. In Europe the two species Lasius niger and Lasius flavus are often the overriding dominants of the ant fauna in local situations and under a variety of ecological conditions. In the eastern United States neoniger mounts such dense populations in open fields and lawns that W. M. Wheeler was once moved (1905) to suggest that it might be the most abundant insect in North America. Such a contention would probably be an exaggeration with respect to all insects, of course, yet there is no denying neoniger its importance as a major faunal influent within its range and favored habitat.

Lasius is also remarkable - perhaps unique - among animal groups thus far monographed, in its great abundance, ubiquity, and conspicuousness, and the consequent ease with which it can be found in the field. Anywhere in the northern United States, in practically all but desert and semidesert conditions, it is possible for an investigator to walk onto nearly any plot of ground and within a matter of minutes find nests of one or more species. (Wilson 1955)

Association with Other Organisms

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Associate data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.

Species Uncertain

  • Unknown species of Lasius are hosts for the nematodes Diploscapter lycostoma (Wahab, 1962), Koerneria histophora (Wahab, 1962), Pheromermis myrmecophila (Crawley & Baylis, 1921), Pristionchus lheritieri (Wahab, 1962), the eucharitid wasp Pseudometagea schwarzii (Universal Chalcidoidea Database) (primary host), and the cricket Myrmecophilus acervorum.
  • An unknown species of Lasius is prey for the tiger beetle Cicindelidia punctulata (a predator) in the United States (Valenti & Gaimari, 2000; Polidori et al., 2020).
  • An unknown species is host for the cricket Myrmecophilus fuscus (Stalling et al., 2015; Stalling & Cassar, 2020; Stalling et al., 2021).
  • An unknown species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Hypogeophora macrothrix (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • An unknown species is a host for the braconid wasp Elasmosomites primordialis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the eucharitid wasp Pseudometagea schwarzii (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the eucharitid wasp Pseudometagea sp. (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the fungus Pandora formicae (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the nematode Diploscapter lycostoma (a parasite) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the nematode Pheromermis myrmecophila (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode secondary; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the nematode Pristionchus lheritieri (a parasite) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the trematode Dicrocoelium dendriticum (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a prey for the Microdon fly Microdon ruficrus (a predator) (Quevillon, 2018).

All Associate Records for Genus

Click here to show/hide associate data.

Flight Period

All Flight Records for Genus

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Flight Month data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
Click here to show/hide associate data.

Life History Traits

  • Mean colony size: 3000-2500000 (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Compound colony type: temperary parasite (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Nest site: hypogaeic (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Diet class: omnivore (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging stratum: subterranean/leaf litter (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging behaviour: cooperative (Greer et al., 2021)

Castes

Male

Diploid males are known to occur in Lasius alienus or Lasius niger (found in 2.3% of 44 examined nests) (Pearson, 1982, 1983; Cournault & Aron, 2009).

Morphology

Worker Morphology

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Worker Morphology data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.

• Antennal segment count: 12 • Antennal club: absent-gradual • Palp formula: 6,4 • Total dental count: 6-10 (0-1) • Spur formula: 1 simple, 1 simple; 0, 0 • Eyes: >100 ommatidia • Scrobes: absent • Pronotal Spines: absent • Mesonotal Spines: absent • Propodeal Spines: absent • Petiolar Spines: absent • Caste: monomorphic, a few species weakly polymorphic • Sting: absent • Metaplural Gland: absent; present • Cocoon: polymorphic

Karyotype

All Karyotype Records for Genus

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Karyotype data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
Click here to show/hide karyotype data.

Phylogeny

Formicinae
Myrmelachistini
Lasiini
Melophorini
Formicini
Gesomyrmecini

Gesomyrmex  (7 species, 12 fossil species)

Oecophyllini

Oecophylla  (15 species, 16 fossil species)

Plagiolepidini
Gigantiopini

Gigantiops  (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Santschiellini

Santschiella  (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Myrmoteratini

Myrmoteras  (42 species, 0 fossil species)

Camponotini

See Phylogeny of Formicinae for details.

Nomenclature

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

  • LASIUS [Formicinae: Lasiini]
    • Lasius Fabricius, 1804: 415. Type-species: Formica nigra, by subsequent designation of Bingham, 1903: 338.
    • [Lasius Jurine, 1801: 164 (Apidae), resurrected by Morice & Durrant, 1915: 421, suppressed by Act of Commission.]
    • Lasius junior synonym of Acanthomyops: Forel, 1916: 460; Donisthorpe, 1916c: 276; Morice & Durrant, 1917: 442. Donisthorpe, 1927b: 206; Donisthorpe, 1937b: 132; Donisthorpe, 1943f: 655; Donisthorpe, 1946g: 91.
    • Lasius junior synonym of Formicina: Emery, 1916a: 61; Bondroit, 1918: 19.
    • Lasius as genus: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 172; Emery, 1925b: 226; Wilson, 1955a: 11.
    • Lasius senior synonym of Donisthorpea: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 172; Emery, 1925b: 226; Wilson, 1955a: 11.
    • Lasius senior synonym of †Tylolasius: Hong, Wu & Ren, 2001: 348.
  • ACANTHOMYOPS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Acanthomyops Mayr, 1862: 699. Type-species: Formica clavigera, by monotypy.
    • Acanthomyops junior synonym of Lasius: Mayr, 1866b: 888.
    • Acanthomyops revived from synonymy as subgenus of Lasius: Emery, 1893i: 642.
    • Acanthomyops incorrectly as senior synonym of Lasius: Forel, 1916: 460; Donisthorpe, 1916c: 276.
    • Acanthomyops subgenus of Formicina: Emery, 1916a: 11; Forel, 1917: 249.
    • Acanthomyops subgenus of Lasius: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 172; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 698; Emery, 1925b: 236.
    • Acanthomyops revived status as genus: Creighton, 1950a: 426.
    • Acanthomyops subgenus of Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13.
    • Acanthomyops subgenus of Lasius: Boudinot et al., 2022: 135.
  • AUSTROLASIUS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Austrolasius Faber, 1967: 74 [as subgenus of Lasius]. Type-species: Lasius carniolicus, by original designation.
    • Austrolasius subgenus of Lasius: Boudinot et al., 2022: 135.
  • CAUTOLASIUS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Cautolasius Wilson, 1955a: 13 [as subgenus of Lasius]. Type-species: Formica flava, by original designation.
    • Cautolasius subgenus of Lasius: Boudinot et al., 2022: 135.
  • CHTHONOLASIUS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Chtonolasius Ruzsky, 1912: 630 [as subgenus of Lasius]. Type-species: Formica umbrata, by subsequent designation of Emery, 1925b: 232.
    • [Chtonolasius also described as new by Ruzsky, 1914a: 59. The claim by some authors (e.g. Emery, 1916a: 11; Donisthorpe, 1941f: 37; Donisthorpe, 1943f: 633) that Ruzsky nominated Lasius flavus as type-species is incorrect. Ruzsky (1912: 630) included those species "with the appearance of the yellow Lasius (Las. flavus D.G.) and its closely related species, and races (Las. carniolicus, Las. umbratus, Las. myops, Las. mixtus)". This is not a direct nomination of a type-species, nor is De Geer (D.G.) the author of flavus: Bolton, 1995b: 24.]
    • Chthonolasius justified emendation of spelling: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 170.
    • Chthonolasius junior synonym of Formicina: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 172; Emery, 1916a: 11.
    • Chthonolasius subgenus of Acanthomyops: Donisthorpe, 1927b: 254.
    • Chthonolasius subgenus of Lasius: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 698; Emery, 1925b: 231; Wilson, 1955a: 13.
    • Chthonolasius subgenus of Lasius: Boudinot et al., 2022: 135.
  • DENDROLASIUS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Dendrolasius Ruzsky, 1912: 630 [as subgenus of Lasius]. Type-species: Formica fuliginosa, by monotypy.
    • [Dendrolasius also described as new by Ruzsky, 1914a: 59.]
    • Dendrolasius subgenus of Formicina: Forel, 1917: 249.
    • Dendrolasius subgenus of Acanthomyops: Donisthorpe, 1927b: 211.
    • Dendrolasius subgenus of Lasius: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 698; Emery, 1925b: 235; Wilson, 1955a: 14.
    • Dendrolasius subgenus of Lasius: Boudinot et al., 2022: 135.
  • DONISTHORPEA [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Donisthorpea Morice & Durrant, 1915: 423. Type-species: Formica nigra, by original designation. [Unnecessary replacement name for Lasius Fabricius.]
    • Donisthorpea as genus: Donisthorpe, 1915d: 184.
    • Donisthorpea subgenus of Formicina: Emery, 1916a: 11; Emery, 1916b: 239.
    • Donisthorpea subgenus of Acanthomyops: Donisthorpe, 1927b: 229; Donisthorpe, 1946g: 91.
    • Donisthorpea junior synonym of Acanthomyops: Forel, 1916: 460; Morice & Durrant, 1917: 442; Donisthorpe, 1927b: 209.
    • Donisthorpea junior synonym of Lasius: Wheeler, W.M. 1916k: 172; Wilson, 1955a: 11.
    • [Lasius and Donisthorpea share the same type-species, synonymy is therefore absolute.]
  • TYLOLASIUS [junior synonym of Lasius]
    • Tylolasius Zhang, J. 1989: 295. Type-species: †Tylolasius inflatus, by original designation.
    • Tylolasius junior synonym of Lasius: Hong, Wu & Ren, 2001: 348.

References