Lasius
is a genus of formicine ants abundant across the north temperate zone in North America and Eurasia. These small, robust ants tend to be either dark in color and surface-foraging, or pale in color and subterranean. Lasius includes a number of temporary parasites that start colonies by invading nests of free-living ants, including the endemic North American citronella ants in the subgenus Acanthomyops.
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.
Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.
Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Canon EOS 50D |
Original size: 3876x2628 |
Current: 800x543 |
