Lasius latipes

Distribution
Coast to coast in southern Canada and the northern half of the continental United States, with southern extensions to Arizona and New Mexico and to South Carolina and Tennessee.

This taxon was described from United States.

Biology
Wing (1968) – Of the 259 samples, 44 had data in some form relating to nest structure and location. Nests in the open numbered 25, those in woods and openings in woods 11, while the status of 8 samples was uncertain. With respect to immediate nest-cover, 19 were under stones, 3 associated with wood, 15 without immediate cover, and 7 of uncertain status. Cole (1954) listed 4 New Mexico records of Lasius latipes as A. coloradensis. The data associated with these nests indicated that they were under stones in open grassy areas with scrub oak, pine, and cedar at 7000 to 7200 feet. He listed 9 records under latipes. Of the 7 samples I have seen, 6 were latipes, and 1 coloradensis. The data associated with these samples that seem to apply to latipes is "Nests for the most part beneath stones on dry and moist, grassy, pine slopes. . . . " M. Talbot kindly sent me the 2 or 3 dozen samples that she collected in southern Michigan. The notes relating to these samples are set forth in her paper of 1963. Most nests were on the margins of fields with scattered oak trees. In many cases there was no externally visible evidence of the nest except at flight time. Some nests had immediate cover in the form of stones, wood, or mounds, the latter occurring in thick growths of grass. Kannowski (1956) discussed the structure of several nests in North Dakota; I have seen 6 of his samples. Most of the nests were in the open, under stones. In my own collecting, most nests have been found under stones either in the open, or clearings in woods, or on the borders of woods. This species is often found in sandy areas.

Annual sexual cycle The seasonal cycle of this species is typical of the other species of the genus except Lasius claviger and Lasius interjectus. It rarely nests near human buildings. The dealate queens disappear soon after nuptial flights cease. The cycle covers a relatively short, well-defined portion of the year.

During June and part of July, many of the nest records of sexual forms are based on immatures. Adult alates appear in nests from mid-July on into September. Most nuptial flights begin in late August and continue in September, with a few taking place in October.

Talbot (1963) cited August 2 as the first date for finding adult alates in nests. During a 10-year period, she observed 11 flights. They occurred in the late afternoon, often following rains. Before flights, workers opened up nests by excavation, but the time of digging out varied greatly from nest to nest. It ranged from a few days to several weeks before flight time. One colony was observed digging out on August 1, 1953, but had no real flight before September 8. However, a small number of males flew from this nest on 6 different occasions in abortive flight attempts. An estimate of the number of alates leaving a nest during a regular flight was made on September 4, 1961: the total was 2500 males and 4500 females.

Nomenclature

 *  latipes. Formica latipes Walsh, 1863: 311 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Combination in Lasius: Mayr, 1866b: 889; in Lasius (Acanthomyops): Emery, 1893i: 642; in Acanthomyops: Creighton, 1950a: 431; in Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13. See also: Wheeler, W.M. & McClendon, 1903: 149; Wing, 1968: 98; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1441.

Worker
Wing (1968) – Crest of petiolar scale blunt to very blunt, convex or straight, not emarginate. Standing body' hairs numerous, more or less evenly distributed, most of moderate length. Entire surface of gula covered with 20 to 40 standing hairs, the longest of which measure 1.12 mm or more; those on dorsum of gaster measuring 0.13 mm or more. Fore femur with 12 or more standing hairs.

Standing body hairs simple to finely barbulate, usually fairly numerous on middle and hind femora. Pubescence on head and dorsum of gaster moderate, that on antennal scapes often decumbent to suberect. Body and appendages yellow to brownish yellow, surface of body at least moderately shining.

Queen
Wing (1968) – Head deformed. Scapes and funiculi extremely clavate ; antepenultimate segment of funiculus at least 2.30 times wider than long. Gula with standing hairs covering its entire surface, usually numbering 40 to 80, their maximum length 0.3 5 to 0.80 mm, usually at least 0.40 mm. FW 0.80 to 1.02 mm, FI 58 to 70, genual plates of fore femora large and conspicuous. Petiolar scale large, with crest very blunt, not emarginate. Standing hairs numerous and more or less evenly distributed over head, alitrunk, legs, and petiolar scale, which is covered by 65 to 180 hairs. Pilosity on gaster variable, .ranging from fairly sparse to dense. Pubescence on gaster dense to very dense. Body size large, AL ranging from 3.12 to 3.85 mm, with most specimens measuring at least 3.20 mm.

Standing body hairs simple to finely barbulate, usually fairly numerous on basal segment of gaster, varying on dorsum of other segments from sparse to numerous, and either (1) covering entire surface, or (2) confined to rows on posterior edges of tergites, or (3) with an intermediate pattern. Standing hairs present on hind surface of fore femora, both surfaces of middle femora, and front surface of hind femora. Pubescence on head and pronotum dilute to moderate, that on scutum and scutellum dilute, surface shining. Body color varying from blond to reddish or castaneous brown, with a few specimens fairly dark.

Male
Wing (1968) – Antennal scapes stout, somewhat thickened apically, SL 0.70 mm or less, SI less than 70. Crest of petiolar scale blunt to moderately blunt, usually convex. Paramere with its apex usually truncate. Body size large, AL usually 1.70 mm or greater. Standing body hairs numerous. Entire surface of gula covered with 20 or more standing hairs. All femora quite pilose. Pubescence dense to moderately dense on dorsum of gaster, often suberect on antennal scapes.

Standing body hairs mostly simple, those on dorsum of gaster more or less evenly distributed. Pubescence on head, gaster, and legs moderate to dense, that on antennal scapes usually suberect. Color brown, head darker, appendages lighter.

Type Material
Wing (1968) – Type locality: None stated. Dalla Torre (1893) cited Illinois in addition to Wisconsin (a defective queen described by Mayr, 1866) and New Jersey. Wheeler and McClendon (1903), perhaps in part because of the data in the von Dalla Torre catalogue, stated that Rock Island, Illinois was probably the type locality.

Location of types: None are known to exist despite efforts made to locate the Walsh specimens by the late William Morton Wheeler and others since the turn of the century. For this reason, I am designating a neotype queen. The neotype specimen bears 2 printed labels (Livingston Co., MICH., VIII-25-58, M . Talbot and Edwin S. George Reserve), a written code-label (238Ac-N), and a printed identification label with an added handprinted "NEOTYPE" in red. I wish to thank Dr. Mary Talbot, the collector, for giving me this typical series of latipes; it contains all 3 castes which are consistent with Walsh's descriptions. It is virtually certain that Walsh's specimens came from one of the midwestern states, although the exact locality remains in doubt. Dr. Talbot's collection made in southern Michigan almost certainly originates from the general area where the Walsh types were taken. I am depositing the neotype in the along with another queen, 2 males and 4 workers from the nest series.