Lasius colei

Cole discovered colonies under stones on moist pine slopes.

Identification
Erect hairs on the dorsum of the gaster are 0.23 mm or more in length and those on the underside of the head are 0.20 mm or greater in length. Most of the hairs on the dorsum of the gaster are found near the posterior edges of each tergum, although there are a few hairs scattered over the surface. The pubescence on the head is sparse, and the mandibles rarely have a denticle on the basal margin. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Southern Arizona and southern New Mexico.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Nomenclature

 *  colei. Acanthomyops colei Wing, 1968: 88, figs. 64-67 (w.m.) U.S.A. Combination in Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13.

Worker
Somewhat similar to small Lasius interjectus; closely related to Lasius californicus, but SI 86-90. Petiolar scale with crest straight to weakly emarginate; sides straight and strongly converging dorsally, sometimes slightly convex. Standing body hairs finely to strongly barbulate, ranging and averaging longer than in californicus. Gula with 4 to 6 standing hairs, clypeus with 6 to 8. Alitrunk with most standing hairs flexed. Standing hairs on gaster fewer than on californicus, with somewhat irregular distribution, but mostly concentrated on or near posterior edges of tergites. Pubescence on scapes loosely appressed to strongly suberect.

Pubescence dilute, body shining. Color yellowish brown to brown.

Male
Similar to californicus. Crest of petiolar scale sharp to very sharp, strongly to weakly emarginate; sides straight and converging dorsally, sometimes convex. Length of longer hairs on crest and sides of scale and on clypeus 0.18 mm or more, many flexed, those on posterior tip of gaster 0.27 mm or more. Standing body hairs weakly to strongly barbulate, a few, especially on alitrunk, with conspicuous bifurcate tips. Cula with 4 standing hairs. Pubescence on head dilute, that on dorsum of gaster very dilute.

Body light brown, head darker.

Type Material
Type locality: Cochise Stronghold, Dragoon Mts., Cochise Co., Arizona.

Location of types: Holotype worker and 3 paratype workers in the, 2 paratypes in the , 2 paratypes in the Cornell collection, and 10 paratypes in the collection of A. C. Cole.

Etymology
This species is named for Dr. A. C. Cole, University of Tennessee. He is the only collector other than W. M. Wheeler who has taken this species.