Lasius meridionalis

Identification
Collingwood (1979) - Clear yellow; pubescence on head rather dilute but close and very fine on gaster. Funiculus segments distinctly longer than wide; scapes and tibiae elliptical in cross section with thin front edge. Petiole sides straight to weakly convex, dorsal margin flat to slightly emarginate. Body and appendage hairs numerous. Length: 3.5-5 mm.

Resembles Lasius umbratus but the different habits, flat appendages and rectangular scale in the queen, shining darker colour and fine sculpture in queen and male clearly distinguish the species from L. umbratus, although workers may be less easy to separate.

Distribution
Spain to Japan, ltaly to Scandinavia (Collingwood 1979).

This taxon was described from France.

Biology
Collingwood (1979) - This species is characteristic of lowland sandy heath in North Europe. Nests are in the ground, often with low earth mounds and carton lined chambers. Flight period August. Fertilised queens start colonies through adoption by L. alienus. Males which have well toothed mandibles have been seen to pick up objects and to feed themselves.

Nomenclature

 *  meridionalis. Formicina meridionalis Bondroit, 1920a: 143 (q.) FRANCE. Stärcke, 1937: 52 (w.m.). Combination in Lasius: Emery, 1922b: 13; in L. (Chthonolasius): Emery, 1925b: 234. Subspecies of umbratus: Emery, 1922b: 13; Menozzi, 1925d: 34; Stitz, 1939: 295; Novak & Sadil, 1941: 103. Status as species: Stärcke, 1937: 50. Junior synonym of rabaudi: Wilson, 1955a: 168; Bernard, 1967: 364. Revived from synonymy, status as species: Pisarski, 1975: 37; Collingwood, 1979: 102; Seifert, 1988: 154; Kupyanskaya, 1990: 226; Atanassov & Dlussky, 1992: 247.

Additional References

 * [[Media:Bondroit 1920a.pdf|Bondroit, J. 1920a [1919]. Notes diverses sur des fourmis d'Europe. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 59: 143-158 PDF]]