Formicine
Guides
Lasius niger
Black Garden Ant, Common Black Ant
Lasius niger, the black garden ant, is a formicine ant native to Europe and parts of Asia, and introduced to North America, South America, and Australasia. It is one of the most abundant and intensively studied Palaearctic ant species. The species was historically considered strictly monogynous, with single-queen colonies dispersed by independent colony founding. However, recent research has documented potential for polygynous-supercolonial demography under certain conditions, with massive nest complexes containing tens of thousands of interconnected mounds observed in Ukraine. Workers are known for their aphid-tending behavior and distinctive lemony citronellal scent released when alarmed.