Lasius creightoni

Known only from the type collection made in the La Sal mountains in Utah.

Distribution
Only known from the La Sal Mountains, Utah.

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



Biology
Wing (1968) - Professor Creighton's collection located in the MCZ consisted of 3 specimens of each caste. The date on the specimens was July 1933. Wilson (1955) cites a collection of Lasius fallax made by Creighton at the Warner Ranger Station, Moab, Utah, on July 19, 1933. Because he collected over a wide area during the summer of 1933, it is likely that A. creightoni was taken on or near July 19. Little variation is evident in either metric or conventional characters. The only ecological data is that the Warner Ranger Station is at an altitude of about 4000 feet. Nuptial flights may not have started at the time of collection, since all 3 castes were in the nest; flights may occur sometime in late July or early August.

Nomenclature

 *  creightoni. Acanthomyops creightoni Wing, 1968: 141, figs. 177-185 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Combination in Lasius: Ward, 2005: 13.

Worker
Pilosity and pubescence similar to that of queen, but somewhat less dense. Antennae slender. Crest of petiolar scale broadly and shallowly emarginate, sides more or less straight. Color pale yellow, body shining.

Queen
Distinct from all other known species of Acanthomyops. Body pilosity fairly dense, simple to finely barbulate, delicate, whitish to silvery in appearance. Pubescence dilute to moderately dense, also whitish to silvery, much of it unusually long, loosely appressed to suberect, conspicuous on antennal scapes, gula, and gaster. Antennae slender. Crest of petiolar scale moderately sharp, shallowly emarginate; sides straight, converging slightly dorsally. Color light brownish yellow, appendages lighter, body shining.

Male
Pilosity and pubescence as in queen, but considerably less dense. Longer hairs at posterior tip of gaster 0.20 mm or more. Crest of petiolar scale moderately sharp to sharp, feebly and broadly emarginate. Antennae slender, SI 70 or greater. HW 0.85 mm or less, CI less than 105. Scutum and scutellum finely sculptured, largely free of pubescence. Color light brown, head darker, appendages lighter, body somewhat shining.

Type Material
Type locality: Warner Ranger Station, La Sal Mts., Moab, Grand Co., Utah. Location of types: Holotype female, 2 paratype females, 3 paratype males, and 3 paratype workers in the.

Etymology
This species is named for the collector, Dr. W. S. Creighton, Emeritus Professor of Biology, City College of New York.