Lasius murphyi exhibits a clear seasonal flight window. Peak flight activity is concentrated in August, with the overall period spanning July to August. The concentrated timeframe makes peak months critical for sightings.
Murphy's Citronella Ant
Lasius murphyi
- Sci. Name
- Lasius murphyi
- Tribe
- Lasiini
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Author
- Forel, 1901
- Common Name
- Murphy's Citronella Ant
- Distribution
- Found in 2 countries
- Nuptial Flight
- From July to August
- Peak flight Time
- 18:00
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Introduction
Lasius murphyi is a small to medium-sized subterranean ant native to southern Canada and the northern United States. Workers are yellowish-brown with a blunt, rounded petiole and short body hairs . Queens have heavily matted, beard-like body hairs . They nest under rocks or logs in sandy or fine loam soils in open woods or forest edges . This species is a temporary social parasite of Lasius neoniger and emits a distinctive citronella smell when disturbed .
Quick Summary
- Difficulty: Medium
- Origin & Habitat: Southern Canada and northern United States, coast to coast, in sandy or fine loam soils in open woods or forest edges [1][2].
- Colony Type: Temporary social parasite of Lasius neoniger [3].
- Size & Growth:
- Queen: Estimated ~7-9mm, inferred from Lasius genus
- Worker: Estimated ~3-5mm, inferred from Lasius genus
- Colony: Unknown maximum worker count, colonies can extend over large areas [1]
- Growth: Moderate
- Development: Unknown, no specific data for L. murphyi (Development time likely similar to other Lasius species)
- Antkeeping:
- Temperature: Room temperature (20-24°C) is suitable [1].
- Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, with a humidity gradient to match natural sandy soil habitat [1].
- Diapause: Yes, require winter diapause at 5-10°C for 3-4 months.
- Nesting: Use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests. Provide a moisture gradient and keep nest chambers dark [1].
- Behavior: Docile and non-aggressive. Workers are small and slow-moving. Escape risk is low due to subterranean habits. Primary defense is citronella smell [1].
- Common Issues: temporary parasitic founding is challenging, queens must invade host colonies [3]., colonies may fail if host species Lasius neoniger is not available., warning: Lasius murphyi is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, check local laws before acquiring., fungal parasites like Laboulbenia formicarum can infect workers, watch for unusual growths [3]., small colony size and subterranean habits make them less active and visible.
Nuptial Flight Activity Analysis 180 observations
Flight Activity by Hour 180 observations
Lasius murphyi nuptial flight activity peaks around 18:00 during the evening. Activity is spread across a 13-hour window (10:00–22:00). Times may be influenced by human observation patterns.
Temporary Parasitic Founding
Lasius murphyi is a temporary social parasite. New queens invade established colonies of Lasius neoniger, kill the host queen, and use host workers to raise her brood [3]. This method is challenging to replicate in captivity, making the species more difficult to keep than non-parasitic ants.
Nest Preferences and Housing
In the wild, Lasius murphyi nests under stones or logs in sandy soils, with chambers about 2 inches below the surface. For captive care, use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests. Provide a moisture gradient and keep nest chambers dark to mimic their subterranean habitat [1].
Feeding and Diet
Like other Lasius species, L. murphyi likely feeds on honeydew from aphids and small insects. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey as a constant energy source, along with protein sources like fruit flies or tiny mealworms [1].
Temperature and Seasonal Care
Room temperature (20-24°C) is suitable, as this species tolerates a range from cool to moderately warm. As a temperate species, it requires a winter diapause at 5-10°C for 3-4 months. Nuptial flights occur from mid-July to early August in the wild [1].
Behavior and Identification
Workers have a blunt petiole and short body hairs, while queens have matted, beard-like hairs. When disturbed, they release a citronella smell. They are docile and non-aggressive, preferring to stay hidden in their underground nests [1].
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lasius murphyi difficult to keep?
Yes, this species is considered medium difficulty due to its temporary parasitic lifestyle. Queens must invade and kill a host queen to establish a colony, which is challenging in captivity [3].
What do Lasius murphyi ants eat?
They feed on honeydew and small insects. In captivity, offer sugar water and protein sources like fruit flies [1].
What temperature do Lasius murphyi need?
Room temperature (20-24°C) is suitable. They require a winter diapause at 5-10°C for 3-4 months [1].
Can I keep multiple Lasius murphyi queens together?
Not recommended. L. murphyi is a temporary parasite that invades different host colonies. Combining unrelated queens has not been documented and would likely result in fighting [1].
How long does it take for Lasius murphyi to develop from egg to worker?
Unknown, no specific data for this species. Development time is likely similar to other Lasius species [1].
What is the host species for Lasius murphyi?
Lasius neoniger is the primary host species. L. murphyi is a temporary social parasite that invades host colonies, kills the host queen, and uses host workers to raise her brood [3].
Are Lasius murphyi good for beginners?
No, they are not recommended for beginners due to their parasitic lifestyle and lower activity levels [1].
Do Lasius murphyi need hibernation?
Yes, as a temperate species, they require a winter diapause at 5-10°C for 3-4 months.
Why does my Lasius murphyi smell like citronella?
This is normal! All species in the Lasius claviger group release a citronella smell when disturbed, which is a characteristic defense mechanism [1].
When is the nuptial flight of Lasius murphyi?
The nuptial flight of Lasius murphyi typically occurs From July to August.
What time of day does Lasius murphyi fly?
The nuptial flight of Lasius murphyi peaks around 18:00 during the evening, with most activity between 10:00 and 22:00. Times may be influenced by human observation patterns.
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References
This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .
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No specimens available
We couldn't find any AntWeb specimens for Lasius murphyi in our database.
Literature
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