Ants · Genus: Lasius
Black garden ant
BeginnerLasius niger
Lasius niger is the classic European beginner species, known for its remarkable hardiness and adaptability. Colonies grow quickly, displaying strong foraging and recruitment behavior in the outworld. With very forgiving care requirements and broad nest compatibility, it is an ideal choice for novice antkeepers.
- 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
- 8-9 mm
- Worker size
- 3-5 mm
- Max. colony size
- 10000-40000
- Queen lifespan
- 25-29
- Worker lifespan
- 1-2
Husbandry conditions
- Nest type preference
- Variable
- Nest temperature
- 20-24 °C
- Arena temperature
- 18-25 °C
- Nest humidity
- 50-70 %
- Arena humidity
- 30-50 %
Nutrition
- Feeding notes
- Honey water, sugar water, small feeder insects (e.g., fruit flies, mosquitoes, small crickets, mealworms)
