Lasius pubescens

Identification
Worker: Similar to Lasius bureni, but SI 83 or more. Erect petiolar scale with crest below level of propodeal spiracles; blunt, not emarginate. Standing hairs on gula measuring 0.10 mm or less, those on crest of scale usually numbering 2, one on each corner. Pubescence short, dense over most of body. Averaging and ranging smaller than bureni. Color yellow to brownish yellow. Queen: Similar to bureni. Crest of erect petiolar scale below level of prodpodeal spiracle, blunt to very blunt, without emargination; sides slightly convex. Standing body hairs less numerous and shorter than in bureni. Standing hairs on crest and sides of scale and on gula each numbering 6 or less, with a maximum length not over 0.12 mm; those on fore femur numbering about 6, with a maximum length not over 0.08 mm. Alitrunk with longer standing hairs measuring 0.20 mm or less. Antennal scapes longer, SI 77-78. Body size smaller, HW 1.10 mm or less. Pubescence on dorsum of gaster very dense. Body color deep grayish brown, appendages lighter. Pubescence denser on gaster than elsewhere on body, fairly sparse on alitrunk. Declivitous face of propodeum below spiracles highly glabrous. (Wing 1968)

Distribution
Known from Minnesota and Tennessee.

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

Biology
Wing (1968) – I collected a colony near McGrath, Aitkin Co., Minnesota on August 29, 1950. It was a populous colony in a low mound in open woods. The type series was collected by W. F. Buren on August 11, 1941, near Jenkins, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. This colony also was nesting in a sandy, low mound in open woods. The Buren nest series had only 4 queens and no males. He took this to indicate that all major flight activity had occurred before the collection date, August 11, 1941.

This species is likely to be a temporary parasite, but its host is.

Nomenclature

 *  pubescens. Lasius (Acanthomyops) pubescens Buren, 1942: 405 (w.q.) U.S.A. Combination in Acanthomyops: Creighton, 1950a: 433; in Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13. See also: Wing, 1968: 138.

Type Material
Wing (1968) - Type locality: Jenkins, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. Location of types: Holotype queen in the W. F. Buren Collection; paratypes in the collections of the, and Iowa State College.