Lasius arizonicus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Native to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Found in hardwood forests, riparian areas, pinyon-juniper forests, and pine-oak transition zones. Nests under stones in rocky loam soil at elevations of 5000-8500 feet ^[1].
• Colony Type: Likely temporary social parasite, queens likely invade a host colony to establish, though the host species is unknown ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from related Lasius species to be approximately 7-9mm
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, inferred from related Lasius species to be approximately 3-5mm
  • Colony: Maximum colony size unknown for this species
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown for this species (Development timeline has not been directly studied.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature around 20-24°C. This species comes from temperate-mountainous regions of the American Southwest, so they prefer cooler conditions than tropical ants. Avoid overheating.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity is appropriate. Keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged. Their natural habitat in riparian areas and under stones suggests they tolerate some moisture but need good drainage.
  • Diapause: Yes, this species is native to temperate regions and will require a winter hibernation period. Provide 3-4 months of cold conditions around 5-10°C during winter.
  • Nesting: Test tubes work well for founding colonies. Once established, they can be moved to a formicarium with soil or plaster. They naturally nest under stones, so a naturalistic setup with a stone on top of soil mimics their natural environment. Ensure the nest has chambers large enough for the colony.
• Behavior: This species is likely a temporary social parasite, meaning new queens likely need to invade a host colony to establish their colony rather than founding independently. Workers are not aggressive and primarily forage for honeydew and small insects. Escape risk is moderate, standard formicarium barriers are sufficient.
• Common Issues: temporary parasitism makes founding extremely difficult, obtaining a colony already established with workers is strongly recommended, host species is unknown, finding an appropriate host colony for the queen may be challenging, very limited availability in the antkeeping hobby, this species is rarely kept, hibernation is required, colonies that are not given proper winter rest may decline

Understanding Temporary Social Parasitism

Lasius arizonicus is likely a temporary social parasite, though this has not been definitively confirmed. If this is correct, a newly mated queen would need to find and invade an established colony of a related host species, likely another Lasius species native to the same region. The queen would enter the host nest, kill or replace the existing queen, and trick the host workers into caring for her eggs and larvae. Once her first workers (called nanitics) hatch, they would gradually replace the host workers until the colony becomes self-sustaining. This parasitic founding method is called temporary because the queen only uses the host colony temporarily, once her own workers emerge, they take over. This makes keeping L. arizonicus significantly more difficult than typical ants, as you cannot simply set up a queen in a test tube and wait for workers to hatch. The best approach is to obtain an established colony that has already completed this transition. ^[1]

Housing and Nesting

For established colonies, provide a nest with soil or sandy soil that can hold some moisture. These ants naturally nest under stones in areas with rocky loam soil, so a naturalistic setup works well. Place a flat stone on top of the soil to mimic their natural nesting conditions, the ants will excavate chambers beneath it. Alternatively, a Y-tong or plaster nest with narrow chambers also works. Keep the nest moderately humid, the substrate should feel damp but not be soggy. Provide an outworld for foraging with standard escape prevention. Because they are not large ants, ensure that any connections between nest areas are wide enough for workers to pass through easily. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Lasius species, Lasius arizonicus likely has a mixed diet. They probably tend aphids and collect honeydew as their primary sugar source, while also hunting small insects and arthropods for protein. Offer sugar water or honey water as a constant sugar source. For protein, provide small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworms. They may also accept other sweet liquids. Feed protein prey 2-3 times per week, and ensure a sugar source is always available. Remove any uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. ^[1]

Seasonal Care and Hibernation

As a species native to the temperate-mountainous regions of the American Southwest, Lasius arizonicus requires a winter hibernation period. During the colder months (roughly November through February in the Northern Hemisphere), reduce the temperature to around 5-10°C. This can be achieved by moving the colony to a cooler location like an unheated garage or basement. Reduce feeding during this period as the ants will be less active. Do not feed during deep hibernation. In spring, gradually warm the colony back to room temperature and resume normal feeding. Failure to provide proper hibernation can weaken or kill the colony over time. ^[1]

Finding and Acquiring Colonies

Lasius arizonicus is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby due to the difficulty of establishing colonies. Unlike typical ants where you can catch a queen during nuptial flights and raise her independently, this species requires either finding an already-established colony or attempting the difficult process of introducing a queen to a host colony. The alate (reproductive) flight season is June through August, with queens most likely taking flight around mid-June ^[1]. If attempting to establish this species, you would need to locate a suitable host colony (likely a common Lasius species from the same region) and introduce the queen. This process has a low success rate even for experienced keepers. For most antkeepers, this species is not recommended unless you have specific experience with temporary social parasites.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References