Black Ant
Black Ant
- How to get rid of black ants - Black Ants can cause damage
Classification
Species category: Ant
Scientific name: Lasius niger
Family: Formicaide
Description
One of the most common species of ants across the world, different members of the colony will have a slightly different appearance. Workers are dark brownblack and reach 3-5mm in length. The queens are mid brown and much larger, they can reach 15mm long. The queen is characterized by 2 pairs of wings which are fore and hind wings hooked together. Once mated, she removes the wings and eats them for nutrition over the winter months. Widespread across Europe, North America and Australasia Generally, nests are located outdoors; they can be built in soil, hollowed trees, found in grasses or under paving slabs, behind fascias or any building voids. Foraging workers enter houses regularly in search of food, preferably sweet foods.
Behavior
Black ants have defined roles within their colony. Each nest has one queen (monogenic). The worker ants (sterile females), build the nest, look after larvae, and forage for food. The queens (fertile females) remain mainly in the nest, mating with fertile males. Before mating, the ants take to the sky. Winged reproductive males and females are involved in a mass flight. The males die after mating, but the females shed their wings and burrow in the ground where they overwinter.