Lasius longipalpus

Lasius longipalpus occurs in woodland areas and semi-open habitats such as city parks. In the higher elevations of its range it occurs in more open situations. It appears to be rather euryoecious. (Seifert 2020)

Distribution
Seifert (2020) - Apparently widely distributed over the Chinese provinces E Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Shaanxi at elevations between 1300 and 3155 m. A likely disjunct population, apparently separated by some 2000 km from the Chinese population, is found in the Russian Far East (42.9°N, 133.9°E, 35 m) and Hokkaido (42.9°N, 143.2°N, 77 m).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Japan, Russian Federation.

Nomenclature

 * . Lasius longipalpus Seifert, 2020: 77, figs. 100-101 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Probably related to Lasius sichuense but smaller (CS 888 µm) and longer-scaped (SL/CS900 1.019). Head moderately elongated (CL/CW900 1.086). Postocular distance smaller and eye significantly larger than in Lasius sichuense (PoOc/CL900 0.238, EYE/CS900 0.250). Torulo-clypeal distance smaller than in species of the L. coloratus complex (dClAn900 4.47). Terminal segment of maxillary palp long (MP6/CS900 0.200). Number of mandibular dents medium (MaDe900 8.08). Pubescence on clypeus dilute (sqPDCL900 5.04) and frontal pubescence of medium length (PLF900 28.6). Setae rather short (PnHL/CS900 0.130, GuHL/CS900 0.088) and occurring on most body surfaces in low numbers reminiscent of the situation in the L, obscuratus group (nOcc900 7.1, nGen900 2.1, nGu900 2.4, nSc900 2.8; nHT900 4.2, nSt900 0.4). The surface sculpture on metapleuron and lower propodeum as it is seen in Lasius coloratus is basically present but the longitudinal carinulae are more delicate and reduced to shorter fragments. Coloration: head mesosoma and gaster either homogeneously medium to dark brown or head and gaster blackish brown and mesosoma less dark; head, mandibles, antennae, metatarsae and tarsae pale yellowish.

See table 10 in Seifert 2020 for additional morphometrics. The abbreviated names of various quantitative data shown above are defined here: Seifert 2020 Lasius characters.

Type Material
Holotype and 2 paratype workers on one pin labelled ”China, Ganzu, Lanshou, street trees, 1500 m asl, E 103.85°, N 36.05° 2011-09-22, Chi 2011 140“; 3 paratype workers on one pin labelled ”China, Ganzu, Lanshou, street trees, 1500 m asl, E 103.85°, N 36.05° 2011-09-22, Chi 2011 141a“; 2 paratype workers on one pin labelled ”China, Ganzu, Lanshou, street trees, 1500 m asl, E 103.85°, N 36.05° 2011-09-24, Chi 2011 148b“; depository.

Etymology
The name refers to the terminal segment of maxillary palps which is long compared to sympatric smaller-sized and weakly-haired species.