Ants · Genus: Lasius
Yellow meadow ant
BeginnerLasius flavus
Lasius flavus is a common yellow formicine ant that leads an almost exclusively subterranean lifestyle. In the wild, colonies farm root aphids underground for sustenance, resulting in minimal surface foraging activity. It is a hardy and forgiving species in captivity, though it strictly requires constant nest moisture and patience during feeding.
- Origin
- Central EuropeNorth America
- Activity time
- Diurnal
- Winter dormancy
- Yes
Colony traits
- Colony form
- Monogynous (one queen)
- Founding type
- Claustral (independent, without feeding)
- Polymorphism
- Monomorphic (no caste differences)
- Queen size
- 7-9 mm
- Worker size
- 2-4 mm
- Max. colony size
- 10000-30000
- Queen lifespan
- 15-22
- Worker lifespan
- 1-2
Husbandry conditions
- Nest type preference
- Variable
- Nest temperature
- 20-24 °C
- Arena temperature
- 18-25 °C
- Nest humidity
- 60-80 %
- Arena humidity
- 30-50 %
Nutrition
- Feeding notes
- Honey water, sugar water, small insects (fruit flies/Drosophila, mosquitoes, small chopped crickets or mealworms offered close to the nest entrance)