Lasius morisitai

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to East Asia, southern Russian Far East (Primorsky Region, Ussuriysky Natural Reserve), Korean Peninsula, and central Japan (Honshu). Found in temperate forest environments ^[3][1].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed, but based on typical Lasius patterns, likely monogyne (single queen).
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable for queens, but inferred from Lasius genus patterns to be around 6-8 mm.
  • Worker: 4.5 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown
  • Growth: Moderate, inferred from genus patterns
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature, inferred from related Lasius species (Development time is estimated from genus-level data since specific timing for this species has not been documented)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, roughly 20-24°C. Based on typical Lasius patterns, a slight gradient may support brood development.
  • Humidity: Maintain moderate humidity. Provide a humidity gradient with moist substrate but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: Yes, as a temperate species, colonies require winter diapause. Reduce temperature to 5-10°C for 3-4 months.
  • Nesting: Use a test tube setup for founding colonies. For established colonies, use soil or plaster nests, as this species prefers dark, enclosed spaces.
• Behavior: Lasius morisitai workers are active foragers that likely collect honeydew from aphids and small insects, similar to other Dendrolasius species ^[2]. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend their nest if threatened. Workers are medium-sized (4.5 mm) and require standard escape prevention ^[1].
• Common Issues: this is a rare species with limited availability, making it hard to obtain, temperature management is important, avoid extremes and provide stable conditions, hibernation is required for long-term colony health, skipping winter rest often leads to colony decline, slow growth compared to tropical species may frustrate beginners, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that can cause problems in captivity

Housing and Nest Setup

For founding colonies, use a standard test tube setup. Fill a test tube with water and plug the wet end with cotton to create a humidity gradient ^[2]. Cover the tube with a dark cloth to simulate underground darkness. Once the colony reaches workers, transition to a small formicarium with soil or plaster nests, as this species prefers dark, enclosed chambers ^[2]. Avoid bright lighting near the nest.

Feeding and Diet

Lasius morisitai workers are omnivores with a preference for sugar sources. Offer sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup regularly ^[2]. For protein, provide small insects like fruit flies or mealworms once or twice weekly. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Maintain temperatures between 20-24°C for optimal activity. During summer, they can tolerate slightly warmer conditions up to 26°C. As autumn approaches, gradually reduce temperatures to initiate hibernation at 5-10°C for 3-4 months. Skipping hibernation can weaken colonies.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Lasius morisitai forms colonies with a single queen and foraging workers. Workers are jet black and medium-sized (4.5 mm) ^[1]. Colony growth is gradual, with workers defending the nest vigorously if disturbed. The species follows typical Lasius behavior without unusual social parasitism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References