Stats

Lifespan

1-15 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Colony

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

North America

Movement

Walking

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Toxins

Status

Rare

About

This large yellow ant dwells in deep underground colonies across the United States. When threatened, it releases a pungent citrus-scented chemical from its abdomen.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   egg

   A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

Genus

Lasius

Species

Lasius interjectus