Lasius mixtus (Nylander, 1846)
Description and notes
Lasius mixtus workers are small and yellowish. The petiole is low with an emarginate dorsal border. There are no standing hairs on scapes or front tibia and body hairs are shorter than L. flavus (Fabricius). Queens are brownish black with head about as broad as alitrunk. Males are brownish black with weakly dentated mandibles.
Distribution
Throughout the British Isles.
It occurs throughout north Eurasia and Central Europe.
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as scarce or threatened.
Habitat
This is one of the least thermophilic Lasius species and it inhabits pastures, sparse woodlands and grasslands.
Flight period
Alates fly in August and September. De-alate females are sometimes found wandering above ground in spring when they can take advantage of the lower aggression shown by their hosts in cold weather.
Foraging behaviour
They forage underground on small invertebrates and tend root-feeding aphids.
Nesting biology
Nests are founded by taking over a nest of Lasius flavus or another Lasius species. Nests are in the soil sometimes under stones or among roots. Sometimes mound nests of fine soil are constructed.
Year profile last updated
2010