Lasius speculiventris

Emery, 1893

Shiny-bellied Fuzzy Ant

Lasius speculiventris is a of in the Lasius, commonly known as the Shiny-bellied Fuzzy Ant. It is found in the northern United States, where it inhabits forests, woodlands, and meadows. As a member of the Formicinae, it belongs to a diverse group of ants that includes many ecologically important species.

Lasius speculiventris by (c) Emmett Collins-Sussman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emmett Collins-Sussman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lasius speculiventris by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasius speculiventris: /ˈleɪʒiəs spɛkjuːlɪˈvɛntrɪs/

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Images

Habitat

Forests, woodlands, and meadows in the northern United States.

Distribution

Northern United States.

More Details

Nomenclature

The was described by Emery in 1893. The specific epithet 'speculiventris' refers to the shiny or mirror-like appearance of the ('' = belly/abdomen; 'speculum' = mirror).

Taxonomic Context

Lasius is a large and widespread of in the Formicinae. The genus includes commonly known as citronella ants, ants, or lemon ants due to the citrus-like odor produced by some species when disturbed.