Lasius alienus
In the first version of the list of ants of the Lower Volga region (Grebennikov et al., 2002) for two locations in the Volgograd region I was mentioned Lasius paralienus Seifert, 1992. However, after a more thorough study of the material, I came to the conclusion that it is impossible to reliably separate these species by morphological features (at least specimens collected in the Lower Volga region). Thus, it seems to me that in the Lower Volga region, besides L. niger sensu lato (see comments) and L. brunneus there are only 2 species of subgenus Lasius s.str. One of them is probably Lasius psammophilus Seifert, 1992 (well distinguished by light coloring and dense, long pubescence of workers' bodies, and occurs only on sands). The second species is given here as Lasius alienus (Foerster, 1850) sensu lato (including earlier doubtful records of L paralienus). In this conception, this species is one of the most common ants in the Lower Volga region in moderately humid habitats: grasslands, bushes, agrocenoses, etc. (but in forests - only in open sunny places).
Some additional data and images of Lasius alienus in the alternate database are available (new window)