Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Cornfield Ants
Lasius alienus
45.0021, -93.1247
Field Notes
Description:
These common ants are about 1/10 in long (workers) and are light to dark brown. They have a petiole with one node, and the thorax is uneven in profile, and their eyes are relatively large compared to the head.
Habitat:
Usually outside, but occasionally they come indoors, as these did. Usually found in open areas and at edges of forests.
Notes:
I found these ants in our bathroom and captured several so I could determine their species (and to photograph them). I'm still not sure of the species, but I settled on Lasius alienus. If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know. Ants are so active that they are difficult to photograph, especially these tiny ants. To restrict their movements, I gave them some sugar water on which to feed. I also put them on a straw or toothpick and set it in a moat of water so they couldn't escape.
Comments (4)