Bug FAQWestern Citronella Ant
Lasius occidentalis · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
The western citronella ant is a member of the genus Lasius, which was formerly classified under the subgenus Acanthomyops. It occurs in the United States, which is also its native range. It can be mistaken for other Lasius ants, but shares the same genus placement.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Western citronella ant belongs to the genus Lasius, once part of the subgenus Acanthomyops.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
This species lives in the United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is the United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 12 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming, Utah, Wisconsin, Nebraska.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Same family (Formicidae)
Eastern Black Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicusCan bite
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan sting
American Winter AntPrenolepis imparis
Argentine AntLinepithema humileNuisance, not dangerous
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan sting
Odorous House AntTapinoma sessileCan damage your homeSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasius_occidentalis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-26 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-26.