106
The Essex Naturalist
Lasius mixtus (Nylander)
National status Local County status Essex Scarce
Frequency Ratio 1.3 Tetrad Percentage 1.4% Recorded
1km sq. percentage 2.9%
Lasius mixtus (Nylander)
Distribution
There are recent records for fourteen localities in South Essex and one at Great
Holland Pits in North Essex.
Barrett (1979) shows a pre 1961 record for TM02.
Habitat and Ecology
The species nests deep in the ground often among shrub roots and under deep
boulders, but occasionally also constructs mound nests of fine loose soil.
Fertilised queens are thought to found colonies by adoption in nests of ants of L.
alienus and L. niger (Collingwood 1979).
Threats
Probably under-recorded especially in North Essex and not likely to be
threatened.
Lasius niger s.l.
National status Common County status Essex Common
[Lasius niger (L.) & L. platythorax Seifert]
Frequency Ratio 3.4 Tetrad Percentage 18.5%
Recorded 1km sq. percentage 46.5%