The male is best distinguished by the possession of abundant standing pilosity on the appendages combined with the " niger type" mandible described below. emarginatus, but in peripheral Eurasian populations this zone shifts to overlap that of L. Over most of Europe and in western North America niger has a scape index regression zone intermediate between those of Lasius brunneus and L. Wilson (1955) - The worker is best distinguished by its abundant standing appendage pilosity combined with the clypeal outline and mandibular dentition characteristic of the " niger complex" ( Lasius niger, Lasius alienus, Lasius emarginatus, Lasius productus). Mating swarms occur from July to late August and in some years huge numbers may fly over a large district on the same date. Aphids on shrubs and herbs as well as subterranean species are tended. Nests are single queened and moderately populous with several hundred up to 10,000 workers. This species is aggressive and readily attacks other ants. Occasionally earth mounts are formed and foraging tracks are frequently covered by surface tunnels of earth. Nests may occur in walls, pavements, tree stumps in open woodland, pasture and open heath.
This is one of the commonest European species and is often especially evident at sites of human disturbance including towns, villages and quarries.
0 kommentar(er)
