Description

Common, undemanding species of ants, monogyne, they easy to keep and adapt well to all conditions. Workers are small (3-4mm), they have brownish-black color, establish colonies consisting of thousands of workers. In the nature they nest underground, preferring loose and sandy soil, but they can adapt to various environments. They often keep aphids on plants, because of their sweet honeydew. Workers are searching for food at ground level or on plants. They are aggressive, defend themselves by using their formic acid and mandibles. The queen is very hardy and tolerates temporary water or food shortages well. Their mating flight is during the fall, then the queen hibernates at winter, and establishes a colony in the following year. The workers are similar to Lasius niger; however, the queen is larger, and more fat than the Lasius niger queen, because she has more nutrient reserves.

Feeding: With honey and insects.

Reproduction: It takes 6-8 weeks from egg to adult worker (depending on temperature). They reproduce quickly, and by the second year, the colony can grow up to several hundred workers.

Hibernation: Recommended in 5-8°C, from late November to late March.
More information about the winter hibernation in this video (Please turn on the English subtitle)