- Information and care
- Feeding
- Nuptial flights
- Care of a queen
- Size of the ants
- Hibernation
- Anthill humidity
- Ideal anthill temperature
- Egg and larva time
- Data to take into account for your breeding
- Best anthill for Lasius niger
Information and care for the Lasius niger ant
Lasius niger, also called black ants or garden ants, is a species that inhabits Europe, America and Asia.
It is a very common ant and is usually seen in green and vegetated habitats, hence the name “garden ant”.
They are easy to breed, grateful for food and quite resistant, both in temperature and in humidity and vibrations. That is why it is usually recommended for beginner breeders who want to try something beyond the well-known Messor barbarus.
They tend to be somewhat cautious in the initial stages of the colony. As the number of individuals progresses and expands, they will gain more confidence in feeding on larger and larger insects.
Lasius niger feeding
As we have mentioned, the care of the Lasius niger ants is nothing to write home about, and their diet was not going to be less.
They are ants that accept a multitude of foods in their diet. In their natural environment, they can graze different types of aphids, from which they obtain hydrates and proteins from the secretions they secrete.
This ant is also capable of hunting insects of different sizes, although at the beginning of the colony, it will be somewhat shy and will only feed on small insects. The larger ones will be left for later, when the colony is larger and can afford some casualties in exchange for larger protein sources.
Taking this into account, if we want to raise and feed a Lasius niger farm, we will choose to give them sweet or sugary liquids to provide them with the necessary carbohydrates for their development.
It will also be necessary to provide proteins through insects for its correct development. We will do this by means of small fruit flies or, in the case of larger insects such as tenebrios, always cut into pieces to facilitate ingestion, especially in the initial stages of the ant colony.
It’s always a good idea to give them constant access to liquid food sources like Sunburst and protein syrups. In this way they will be the ones who will take what is necessary and the intakes will be administered as needed. In any case, if we see that the size of the colony is out of control, we can always try to limit the feeding.
Nuptial flights of Lasius niger
When are the nuptial flights of the Lasius niger?
The flights of the queens of this ant are usually centered between the end of May and the middle of September and October. Keep in mind that these dates may vary depending on weather conditions and the dates of rain that may occur in the area where they are located.
What time are the Lasius niger flights?
As with dates, the time of these ants’ mating flights will always vary depending on ambient humidity, rainfall, and atmospheric conditions.
In general, the flights are usually concentrated between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., when the sun begins to go down and less light begins to be noticed in the environment.
What is the best time to catch Lasius niger queens?
It is always difficult to pinpoint the perfect time when there is the best chance of catching a queen of this ant.
The best time to try it and in which it will be more likely that we will be lucky and we will find queens will be the days after it rains and in which there is a lot of humidity in the environment.
These days, the princesses, already fertilized by the males, will try to find the best place to make their first nest and thus start a new colony.
Lasius niger queen care
They are monogynous and have a claustral development.
It is not necessary to feed the queen during her early stages of development, but she will always appreciate a small drop of sugary liquid every week or week and a half.
How long does a Lasius niger queen live?
The life expectancy of queens of this species of ants can reach up to 20 years in optimal conditions.
Size of the ants
This species is monomorphic, so it lacks castes and all workers are the same size.
If you are interested in knowing how big the Lasius niger are, these are their sizes:
- Queen of Lasius niger: Between 9 and 11 mm.
- Lasius niger male: 5 mm.
- Lasius niger worker: Between 3 and 5 mm.
Lasius niger hibernation
These ants hibernate between the months of October and February in their natural environment and with a temperature of about 10ºC or somewhat lower.
Is hibernation mandatory?
It is highly recommended. If this is not done, both the queen and the colony will suffer considerable wear and tear and their life expectancy will be reduced, in addition to also being affected in the correct development and growth of the colony.
Humidity of the anthill for Lasius niger
This species of ant prefers somewhat humid environments. Between 40% and 60% relative humidity inside the nest should be enough for the Lasius to feel comfortable and thrive properly.
As it is not a species that usually stores food, it will not be necessary to have an area with less humidity as is recommended with the Messor, since by not storing seeds we can maintain the entire anthill with constant and uniform humidity.
As with many other species, it is always advisable to leave them a source of humidity in the area outside the anthill as a drinking fountain that they can use. This will also serve as an indication and we will be able to see if we cover the needs of the colony in terms of water and humidity, or if, on the contrary, more sources have to be added.
Ideal anthill temperature
The temperature of the anthill of these ants should be between 20ºC and 25ºC in times of non-hibernation. They can vary a couple of degrees higher or lower, but it is usually a temperature that they will be comfortable with.
Egg and larva time
This data is approximate and will vary depending on the diet of the colony, its size, humidity and temperature.
The time it takes for an egg of this species to become an ant is usually around 40 days between the time the queen lays the egg and the ant is born.
Data to take into account for your breeding
It is a fairly easy species to breed and does not require excessive care for the colony to prosper, which is why it is one of the species recommended for beginner breeders.
It is somewhat shy in its initial stages, so it is better if we cut the protein intake into small pieces to make it easier for them to feed. These ants shy away from large insects until later in the colony when they are more numerous.
Their shy and calm attitude is also shown when it comes to withstanding the vibrations and movements that may occur in the anthill, since they better withstand this type of inclement weather and suffer less stress than other more sensitive species.
Best anthill for Lasius niger
If we are looking for a good anthill for this species of ants, we should think of one that allows us to maintain a high degree of humidity evenly throughout the anthill.
Although it is a less sensitive species than others to vibrations and certain external factors, it is always better to have an anti-vibration anthill so that the colony does not suffer unnecessary stress.
Our AntManiacs 3D anthills are modular and will allow you to expand the anthill whenever necessary. This allows adding modules of different types and adjusting perfectly to the needs of Lasius niger.
* Photos owned by:
Camponotus Vagus under license Creative Commons
Bernard DUPONT under license Creative Commons
Lennart Tange under license Creative Commons