![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Ants%202009/Lasiusclavigergoldenrod2.jpg)
Well there was another nuptial flight today and once again my Goldenrod plants had queens purchased. They weren't doing much of anything, just standing still. A Myrmecologiest I know suggested they might have Summit Disease. The study posted talks about a different species, Formica rufa, but there are a number of diseases out there that take advantage of certain groups of ants. So maybe something similar is at work here.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Ants%202009/Lasiusclavigergoldenrod4.jpg)
This one didn't even bother to remove her other wing. She just laid there motionless but still clearly alive. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they hang around on tall plants to warm up in the early morning.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Ants%202009/Lasiusclavigergoldenrod3.jpg)
But really I would think it more beneficial to look for a host colony. Other queens on the ground immediately remove their wings after mating and scurry along to find a place to over winter or a host colony to parasatize.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Ants%202009/Lasiusclavigergoldenrod5.jpg)
Along with Goldenrod I also see them on the Joe Pye Weed and Perennial Sunflower, all fairly tall plants. I didn't look much at the perennials but I imagen I could find some on them too.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Ants%202009/Lasiusclavigergoldenrod.jpg)
Even at night (not photoed) there were tons of these queens still motionless doing nothing. Ones that I did photo I'm reasonably sure still hadn't moved. I'll report back if it's just warming up, if they're still there tomorrow, and or if they start sprouting mushrooms.