# Lasius

Lasius ants are small, hardworking insects that live in colonies. They are often seen marching in lines and are great at helping the environment by cleaning up and aerating the soil.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Lasius](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lasius.sp.1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Sarefo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lasius.sp.1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lasius ant is a small insect, typically dark brown to black, ranging from 2-9 mm in length, with queens being larger. It has a segmented body with a distinct waist and six legs. Many species appear smooth and shiny without excessive body hair.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Formicidae
- **Genus:** Lasius

## Interesting facts

- During winter, Lasius ants hibernate, becoming nearly inactive until spring arrives.
- Lasius queens can live for over 20 years, laying thousands of eggs!
- Some Lasius species will 'kidnap' pupae from other ants to be their workers!
- They follow invisible scent trails, leading them directly to food and back to their nest.

## Special abilities

- **Nature's Dairy Farmers:** Lasius can 'farm' aphids for their sweet honeydew, protecting them in exchange for this sugary treat.
- **Acidic Spray:** Lasius can spray formic acid from their abdomens, which helps them defend against threats and hunt small prey.
- **Underground Architects:** Lasius can build complex underground nests with many tunnels and chambers, providing safety and food storage.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 8-15 mm
- **Size:** 2-9 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-7300 days
- **Leg Count:** 6
- **Colony Size:** 500-50000

## Diet & Feeding

Lasius ants enjoy sugary liquids like honeydew and small insects for energy and protein.

- **Primary Foods:** honeydew, nectar, small insects, seeds, scavenged food
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Green Woodpecker (*Picus viridis*) — Green woodpeckers frequently dig up ant nests.
- **Symbiotic with:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — Lasius ants tend aphids for sugary honeydew.
- **Eaten by:** European Red Ant (*Myrmica rubra*) — Larger Myrmica ants can raid Lasius nests.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Be careful not to disturb ant nests, as they can bite if they feel threatened.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lasius?

Compare the antennae, waist segments, body proportions and size. Workers, queens and males of the same species can look surprisingly different. Ant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Lasius's wingspan?

8-15 mm

### How big is Lasius?

2-9 mm

### How long does Lasius live?

60-7300 days

### What does Lasius eat?

Lasius ants enjoy sugary liquids like honeydew and small insects for energy and protein.

### Where is Lasius usually found?

Forests

### How does Lasius hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Lasius have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Palmer Playground](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmer-playground) — Massachusetts, US · Park
- [Mount Fernie Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-fernie-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Lasius: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lasius)