Bug Identifier
Black Garden Ant
Community identification

Black Garden Ant

Lasius niger

Order & Family
Hymenoptera, Formicidae
Size
Workers are typically 3 to 5 mm in length; queens can reach up to 9 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Widely distributed across gardens, woodlands, and urban areas. Often nests under paving slabs, in wall crevices, or under lawns.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they eat nectar, seeds, and small insects. They are well known for 'farming' aphids for their honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

Highly social insects living in large colonies. They follow scent trails to food sources and are particularly active in the summer months during 'nuptial flights'.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. They provide ecosystem benefits by aerating soil and controlling pests, though they can become a nuisance when they forage for sugary foods in homes.