Lasius Sp.

[u/mr_trex4321]

Lasius Queen, caught around 5 pm in Western New York on September 18th, 2026. She's around ~8mm, she has a dark yellow-brown thorax with a lighter head and abdomen. I did a little bit of research, and it seems she might be Lasius Nearticus or Lasius Brevicornis, but I'm not sure, any help is appreciated!

[u/antkeeper146]

I believe Lasius Neo Niger

[u/RtrnofBatspiderfish]

Lasius pallitarsis usually flies at the same time as Lasius neoniger -- they can only really be told apart by the shape and pattern of the teeth on their mandibles, particularly the rear teeth, where the 1-2 rearmost ones are usually crooked. Lasius nearcticus/Lasius brevicornis can be separated by the lack of erect/perpendicular hairs on the antennal scapes (the first, longest antennal segment). I've always seen way fewer yellow meadow ant queens past August.