Seasonal Mounding, Colony Development, and Control of Nuptial Queens of the Ant Lasius neoniger

• Published in: Applied turfgrass science Vol. 2005
• Main Authors: Maier, R.M, Potter, D.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Plant Management Network 2005
• Subjects: ant mounds; deltamethrin; golf course tee boxes; golf courses; insect colonies; insect control; insect development; insect pests; Lasius niger; newly emerged queens; nuptial queens; pesticide application; queen insects; seasonal mounding; seasonal variation; Kentucky
• ISSN: 1552-5821; 1552-5821

The ant Lasius neoniger can be a significant pest when its mounds occur on golf course putting greens. We monitored seasonal mound building, colony development, and emergence of nuptial queens in central Kentucky, and evaluated feasibility of preventing new nests by intercepting newly-emerged queens with a pyrethroid insecticide. Mounding on sand-based tees started in late February or March and peaked in May or June. Winged pupae and adults were first found in nests in late June; winged adults were present until mid-September. Eggs and larvae were present in established nests throughout the growing season, but not in winter. Workers and root aphids, from which ants obtain honeydew, were present year-round. Sunken sand-filled cups, which captured young queens crawling on the turf, revealed pulses of nuptial emergence from mid-August to mid-September. One-day- and 1-week-old deltamethrin residues gave 94% and 75% control, respectively, of newly-emerged queens, but residual control markedly declined thereafter. Preventing new nests by targeting nuptial queens with a short-residual insecticide likely would require several applications but might have value in an overall management plan. Superintendents seeking to directly reduce mounding with surface insecticides or baits should start scouting in March and treat soon after mounds appear.