Lasius neoniger
| Latin Name: |  |
Lasius neoniger |
| Trivialname: |  |
Cornfield ant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(2) higher requirements to escapeprevention |
| Distribution: |  |
Canada, United States, Northern Mexico |
| Habitat: |  |
prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne |
| Queen: |  |
Size: approx. 8mm Colour: shiny reddish brown |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 3 - 5 mm Colour: shiny reddish brown |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: - Colour: - |
| Nutrition: |  |
Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 20 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C |
| Nestform: |  |
mainly in soil with a huge mount, sometimes also in dead wood |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Digfix |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: S - M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, |
| Description: |  |
These ants look a little bit like our euopean Lasius niger but are much brighter. They are very common on open Grassland and very active Foragers. They collect honeydew, nectar and insects. Like most Lasius they have a mutualistic relationship with root aphids. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: july to august founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis possible colonysize: approx. 10.000 Individuals |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |