ANTSTORE World of Ants

[SteveUK28]

Hey guys,
My nephews seem to be copying me with the love for ants, and the other day they was out at the football field and said they found these ants. They was trying to tell me the ants was coming out from the middle of a bush, which didnt seem like lasius niger to me, and they also seem a little big too. But still... check the pics n let me know what you think.. sorry they are not brill, ants dont like to pose

[tail__]

That's easy, it is Lasius fuliginosus. The most beautiful of all Lasius, but unfortunately the hardest to keep. Queens are temporary social parasites and need a bunch of Lasius umbratus workers (hard to get) to start a colony.

[SteveUK28]

Could you see any queens in those pics ?

[tail__]

There is actually a queen in ALL of these pics, and there is a worker only on photo 1 and 4. And two males on no. 4. Unfortunately it seems this queen is a virgin, if she was found near nest exit, and she lost her wings due some "accident" with your nephews, I suppose... They probably saw a nuptial flight, as they usually fly in May and June.

[SteveUK28]

i'll have to take a look myself near where they found them

[JimmyVe]

Yes, i think to it is Lasius fuliginosus. I had a queen of these ants a few years ago, didn't work out... They are very hard to keep.