Lasius talpa

This forest species has its nuptial flights during August and September in Japan (Japanese Ant Image Database).

Identification
Best distinguished by its very hairy, small-eyed worker caste.

Distribution
Like Lasius sonobei, this species is commonly found in the forests of southern Japan, but it is rare in the Tohoku district. The northernmost distribution record is from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture (Japanese Ant Image Database).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Pakistan. Palaearctic Region: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Japan, Republic of Korea.

It is also found in the Republic of Korea and China.

Biology
Dr. W. L. Brown has supplied me with field notes on his Chinese collection. Miao T'ai Tze is located in the Tsinling Shan at an elevation of over 6000 feet. The colony was situated in a small rotting stump on a steep slope in moist, mixed fir-hardwood forest (Liquidambar, Acer, and bamboos prominent) about 200 feet above the town. A large colony of Lasius flavus was found under a stone about 400 feet higher in a forest clearing. It is conceivable that Lasius talpa is the ecological equivalent of the North American species Lasius nearcticus in that it may tend to replace flavus in moister, more densely wooded situations. (Wilson 1955)

Nomenclature

 *  talpa. Lasius (Cautolasius) talpa Wilson, 1955a: 136 (w.q.m.) JAPAN. Imai, 1966: 119 (k.). See also: Yamauchi, 1997: 162; Collingwood, 1982: 291.

Worker
(1) Monomorphic to feebly polymorphic. Head shape similar to Lasius nearcticus, sub quadrate with widely spaced mandibles.

(2). Eyes very small, usually with only 6-12 ommatidia and a recorded maximum of 17 (Miao T'ai Tze).

(3) Numerous erect hairs on the scape along the plane of count standing out above the combined ground pubescence and subdecumbent to erect hairs of intermediate length. Standing hairs also abundant on the tibiae. Standing body pilosity in general denser than in other Cautolasius.

PW range 0.38-0.60 mm.; maximum intranidal PW range 0.38-0.51 mm. (Yasu) and 0.50-0.60 mm. (Hirooka III-8-1936). SI-HW regression zone high, at lower limit of northern Eurasian Lasius flavus zone (q.v.) and below that of nearcticus. Dentition similar in variation to that of flavus of comparable size; typically two basal teeth and occasionally a third intercalary one; the second intercalary tooth .often dropping out. Terminal segments of maxillary palp apparently varying as in Lasius fallax. The Hirooka III-8-1936 series contains some workers with VI equalling V and some with VI exceeding V, while all of the Yasu workers have VI exceeding V. Petiole always showing some degree of emargination, although this tends to be feeble in small specimens. Cephalic pubescence as dense as in extreme nearcticus. Body and appendages uniformly medium yellow.

Queen
(1) Best distinguished from other Cautolasius species by the presence of numerous standing hairs on the scape.

(2) Possibly averaging smaller than other Cautolasius species: three queens from the holotype nest series have HW's of 1.33, 1.35, and 1.35 mm. respectively.

(3) Body uniformly light brown, overall lighter than in other members of the subgenus.

Male
Lacking a dependable pilosity character; at most two or three erect hairs can be seen on the outer femoral surfaces, a condition probably overlapped by nearcticus. The mandibles may have a distinctive shape: the one perfect specimen I have examined, from the holotype nest series, had the masticatory border smooth, concave, and terminating in a sharply angular basal corner, which condition has been encountered elsewhere only in the highly variable flavus mandible.

Parameres and volsellae resembling those of other Cautolasius. Subgenital plate sub quadrate, with a single prominent posterior setiferous lobe; posterolateral flanges drawn out laterally and very thin and acute.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H., Y. P. Sharma, M. Bharti, and M. Pfeiffer. 2013. Ant species richness, endemicity and functional groups, along an elevational gradient in the Himalayas. Asian Myrmecology 5: 79-101.
 * Choi B.M. 1986. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea. Journal of Chongju National Teacher College 23: 317-386.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16) - Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean J. Soil. Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16): Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean Journal of Soil Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (15) -Ant fauna islands Ullungdo and Dokdo. Journal of Chongju National University of Education 33: 201-219.
 * Choi B.M., K. Ogata, and M. Terayama. 1993. Comparative studies of ant faunas of Korea and Japan. 1. Faunal comparison  among islands of Southern Korean and northern Kyushu, Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 48(1): 37-49.
 * Choi B.M., Kim, C.H., Bang, J.R. 1993. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (13). A checklist of ants from each province (Do), with taxonomic notes. Cheongju Sabom Taehakkyo Nonmunjip (Journal of Cheongju National University of Education) 30: 331-380.
 * Choi B.M., and H.S. Lee. 1999. Studies on the distribution ants in Korea (21) - Ant fauna in Kwanaksan. Korean J. Soil Zoology 4(1): 1-4.
 * Choi B.M., and J. R. Bang. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (12): the analysis of ant communities in 23 islands. Journal of Cheongju National University of Education 30:317-330.
 * Collingwood C. A. 1982. Himalayan ants of the genus Lasius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology 7: 283-296.
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Ha S.J, S.J. Park, and B.J. Kim. 2002. Comparative ant faunas between Seonyudo and seven other islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(2): 75-79.
 * Harada Y., M. Enomoto, N. Nishimata, and K. Nishimuta. 2014. Ants of the Tokara Islands, northern Ryukyus, Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 40: 111121.
 * Hosoichi S., W. Tasen, S. H. Park. A. Le Ngoc, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2015. Annual fire resilience of ground-dwelling ant communities in Hiraodai Karst Plateau grassland in Japan. Entomological Science 18: 254–261.
 * Hosoishi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
 * Kim B., Ryu D., Park S., and J. Kim. 1994. Systematic study on ants from coasts of Korean Peninsula (Hym: Formicidae). Korean journal of entomology 24: 293-309.
 * Kim B.J. 1996. Synonymic list and distribution of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) in Korea. Entomological Research Bulletin Supplement 169-196.
 * Kim B.J., K.G. Kim, J.H. Kim, S.J. Park. Ants from Mt. Mirok. Korean J. Soil Zoology 2(2): 115-128.
 * Kwon T. S. 2012. Korean ant atlas. Korea Forest Research Institute 162 pages.
 * Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
 * Maeto K. and S. Sato. 2004. Impacts of forestry on ant species richness and composition in warm-temperate forests of Japan. Forest Ecology and Management 187: 213223.
 * Matsumura S. and Yamane Sk. 2012. Species composition and dominant species of ants in Jigenji Park, Kagoshima City, Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 38: 99107
 * Matsumura S., and S. Yamane. 2012. Species composition and dominant species of ants in Jigenji Park, Kagoshima City, Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 38: 99-107.
 * Ogata. K., Touyama, Y. and Choi, B. M. 1994. Ant fauna of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 18-25
 * Paik W.H. 1984. A checklist of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) of Korea. Korean J. Plant Prot. 23(3): 193-195.
 * Park S.J., and B.J. Kim. 2002. Faunal comparison of ants among Cheongsando and other islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(1): 7-12.
 * Park, Seong, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Faunal Comparison of Ants among Cheongsando and Other Islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Jornal of Entomology. 32(1):7-12.
 * Ran H., and S. Y. Zhou. 2012. Checklist of chinese ants: formicomorph subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) II. Journal of Guangxi Normal University: Natural Science Edition 30(4): 81-91.
 * Sato T., N. Tsurusaki, K. Hamaguchi, and K. Kinomura. 2010. Ant fauna of Tottori prefecture, Honshu, Japan. Bulletin of the Tottori Prefectural Museum 47: 27-44.
 * So, Ha, Seong, Jin, Park, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Comparitive Ant Faunas between Seonyudo and Seven other Islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology. 32:75-79.
 * Sonobe R. 1977. Ant fauna of Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Japanese Journal of Ecology 27: 111-116.
 * Terayama M. 1983. Kagoshima-ken-hondo no ari. Kanagawa-chucho (Journal of the Kanagawa Entomologists Association): 13-24.
 * Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in East Asia. A. Regional differences and species richness. Bulletin of the Bio-geographical Society of Japan 47: 1-31.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama M., K. Ogata, and B.M. Choi. 1994. Distribution records of ants in 47 prefectures of Japan. Ari (report of the Myrmecologists Society of Japan) 18: 5-17.
 * Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
 * Terayama M., and K. Murata. 1990. Effects of area and fragmentation of forests for nature conservation: Analysis by ant communities. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 45(2): 11-17.
 * Terayama M., and S. Kubota. 2002. Ants of Tokyo, Japan. ARI 26: 1-32.
 * Terayama M., and S. Yamane. 1984. Ants of Yaku-shima Island, the northern Ryukyus, with reference to their altitudinal distribution (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Cons. Rep. Yaku-shima Wildness Area, Kyushu, Japan, pp. 643-667. Nat. Cons. Bureau, Env. Agency, Japan.
 * Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Touyama Y. 1996. Myrmecofaunal change under fire disturbance. Edaphologia 56: 25-30.
 * Wilson E. O. 1955. A monographic revision of the ant genus Lasius. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 113: 1-201
 * Yamane S., S. Ikudome, and M. Terayama. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp, 138-317.
 * Yamane S., Y. Harada, and K. Eguchi. 2013. Classification and ecology of ants. Natural history of ants in Southern Kyushu. 200 pages
 * Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.
 * Yamauchi K. 1979. Taxonomical and ecological studies on the ant genus Lasius in Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). I. Taxonomy. Sci. Rep. Fac. Educ. Gifu Univ. (Nat. Sci.) 6: 147-181.