Lasius sp., Subgenus Acanthomyops
ANTS (Formicidae)

Description
These ants are small, about 1/4 inch or 5 mm long, light orange in color. They have a very noticeable characteristic lemon smell when uncovered from their subterranean or log nests. They are found in grasslands and forests.

Occurrence
The photos here were taken in Fontenelle Forest on 8 June 2013. They were discovered in a rotten log. These ants are common but are seldom seen because of their living habit. They are considered to be parasitic on other Lasius sp. ant colonies. There are about 40 species of Lasius sp. ants in North America.

Comments
These ants are found only in North America. Ants in the subgenus Acanthomyops release alarm pheromones with a “lemony” or citronella smell when they are disturbed. These pheromones are released from its mandibles and Dufour’s gland (this gland is located at the end of the abdomen). The worker ants respond to this chemical by raising their antennae, followed by opened mandibles and running in the direction of the source of the pheromones.

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