Lasius
Lasius alienus
Nuptial Flight Calendar
Care Guide
Lasius alienus is a classic species for any ant keeper, offering a perfect balance of activity and manageability. The queen, measuring 7 to 9 mm, is a sturdy, dark brown founding queen who raises her first generation of workers entirely on her own reserves—this is known as claustral founding. Workers are smaller, ranging from 3 to 4.5 mm, and are uniform in size, giving the colony a neat, monomorphic appearance. Their color is a sleek, dark brown to black, and they are fast, curious foragers. A mature colony can reach between 3,000 and 15,000 individuals, filling a medium-sized formicarium with constant, fascinating traffic.
One of the most appealing traits of Lasius alienus is their varied diet. In the wild, they tend aphids and other honeydew-producing insects, and they eagerly accept sugar water in captivity as a substitute. They also require protein in the form of small insects such as fruit flies, crickets, or mealworms. This flexible feeding makes them easy to cater for—just remember to offer both a carbohydrate source (sugar water or honey water) and protein regularly. They are tidy ants and will store food in their nest chambers.
Care difficulty
Lasius alienus is an ideal starter species, even for keepers who have never raised an ant colony before. Their claustral foundation removes the need for tricky feeding during the first few months—just leave the queen alone in a test tube setup until her first nanitics arrive. The colony is robust, forgiving of minor temperature and humidity fluctuations, and adapts well to captivity. The main commitment is providing a proper hibernation period, as these ants need a cool dormancy at around 6 °C throughout winter to synchronize their life cycle.
Housing
A simple test tube setup works perfectly for the founding stage, and later a small to medium formicarium with a connected outworld will suit the colony well. Lasius alienus prefers a nest with moderate moisture—aim for a humidity level between 50 and 70 percent. They are not particularly sensitive to light, but they do appreciate a dark, quiet nesting area. Temperature should be kept between 20 and 26 °C; a heat mat on one side of the outworld can create a useful gradient. Remember that during hibernation the entire colony must be moved to a cool, dark location, and they should not be fed during this time. A substrate that retains moisture, such as plaster or clay, works well for their nest.
First days after purchase
When your Lasius alienus colony arrives, give them time to settle. Place the test tube or temporary container in a calm, dimly lit spot and leave them undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Check that the water supply in the tube is still intact (a cotton plug at the back keeps the water separate from the living area). Do not offer food immediately; wait until the first workers emerge or, if the colony already has workers, offer a tiny drop of sugar water and a small insect piece. Observe from a distance to ensure they are drinking and foraging normally. Avoid shaking or moving the nest excessively. With patience, you will soon see these lively ants exploring their new home.