Lazius nigga: description and lifestyle of a garden ant

A well-known black or garden ant, the name of which is a lasius nigga, differs unpretentiousness and dwells almost everywhere. The sizes of working individuals do not exceed 5 mm, but the queen can reach an impressive length - up to 1.5 cm.

Description

The very wide distribution of ants of the species Lasius niger (and it can be found in any country in Europe and parts of Asia and North America) has led to the fact that everyone can recognize them. Body color - dark brown, close to brown, dense hairs located along its entire surface. The abdomen is substantially larger than the head. Ants are distinguished by diligence and incredible vitality: they manage to wait out and severe winter cold, and spring flood. According to the life expectancy of these insects are the record holders in the world of ants - it is more than 20 years.

Lifestyle Features

The ants of the Lazius nigga are extremely active and differ in their desire for collectivism (as, indeed, all members of this family): they build large colonies, jointly defend themselves in case of danger. They dwell in forests, fields, nests are located in rotten wood, under the ground, between rocks, in marsh hummocks. Most of the colony are working ants. They not only build a nest, get food and provide protection, but also look after the larvae. The size of one colony can be up to 70 thousand individuals of the lasius nigga.

The stages of development they pass are the same as most other kinds of ants. At the end of summer, the years begin, after which the males die, and the females lay eggs. After about 20 days, larvae appear from them, requiring constant care of ants, since they themselves can not eat. At a suitable temperature, after 2 weeks, a pupa is formed, which after 10-12 days turns into a working ant.

Feeding the Lazias

Inhabitants in the wild, insects prefer food to the glutenous distribution of aphids. The milking process is interesting: in order to obtain sweet honey dew, the ants caress the rear end of the aphids with their antennas, forcing it to give out the desired fluid by drop. The ant swallows its prey, which it extracts in the nest, regurgitating to saturate the larvae or queen. As true masters, the Lasians take care of their "herd", protecting the aphids from predators.

Contents of the colony

Beginners are encouraged to learn how to breed ants with lasius ngier. They are very unpretentious, they do not need special conditions and special knowledge. It is easiest to take them in the forest, early in the morning, and it is desirable that eggs or larvae also get into the colony, because the laziases become more active if they take care of the offspring. It is desirable to conduct the process as quickly as possible, otherwise active ants will hide eggs in a safe place.

To populate the colony, a formarium is required, the size of which depends on the number of individuals. It must be maintained at room temperature, protected from direct sunlight. As a primer, it is better to use sand. Due to the fact that ants need high humidity, it is recommended to moisten the soil once a day with spraying.

To feed the larvae a protein is needed, it can be dead insects, raw meat. Adult individuals are pleased to enjoy sugar syrup, diluted water with honey, bread crumbs or cereals.

Protection against black ants

If the colonies of these insects are interesting for observation, then their appearance in the garden houses and suburban areas is akin to flooding. The lasius ants of the nigga multiply rapidly, strive to penetrate the house, interfere with the garden work. Get rid of them will allow an insecticide, which should be treated with extreme caution, so as not to cause damage to useful insects (loosening earth worms, God's bugs) and vegetation. It is recommended that a barrier be created by treating the area with poison around the house.

These insects, for all their usualness and familiarity, are very interesting for observation, representing a pattern of teamwork, hard work and endurance.