Well known to all is a black or garden ant, whose name is Lazius niger, is unpretentious and lives almost everywhere. The sizes of the working individuals do not exceed 5 mm, but the queen can reach an impressive length - up to 1.5 cm.
Description
A very wide distribution of ants of the Lasius niger species (and it can be found in any country in Europe and in 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 are located on its entire surface. Abdomen significantly larger than head. Ants are distinguished by their industriousness and incredible vitality: they manage to wait out both the harsh winter cold and the spring flood. In terms of life expectancy, these insects are champions in the world of ants - it is more than 20 years old.
Lifestyle features
Lazius niger ants are extremely active and are distinguished by a desire for collectivism (as, however, all representatives of this family): they build large colonies, jointly defend themselves in case of danger. They live in forests, fields, nests are located in rotten wood, underground, between stones, in swamp bumps. Most of the colony is made up of 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 lazius niger.
The stages of development they go through are the same as most other species of ants. At the end of summer, the years begin, after which the males die, and the females lay their eggs. After about 20 days, larvae emerge from them, requiring constant care of the ants, because they themselves cannot eat. At a suitable temperature, after 2 weeks a chrysalis forms, which after 10-12 days turns into a working ant.
Nutrition of lazyus
Naturally living insects prefer gummy aphid secretions as food. The milking process is interesting: in order to get sweet honey dew, the ants stroke their aphids with their antennas, forcing them to drop the desired fluid drop by drop. The ant swallows its prey, which it extracts in the nest, burping to saturate the larva or queen. As true owners, the lazy take care of their "herd", protecting aphids from predators.
Colony maintenance
Beginners are advised to learn to breed ants with lazius ngier. They are very unpretentious, do not need special conditions and special knowledge. The easiest way to get them is in the forest, in the early morning, and it is desirable that the eggs or larvae also get into the colony, because lasiuses become more active if they care about the offspring. It is advisable to carry out the process as quickly as possible, otherwise the active ants will hide the eggs in a safe place.
To colonize the colony will require formicaria, the size of which depends on the number of individuals. It is necessary to maintain room temperature in it, protecting it from direct sunlight. As soil it is better to use sand. Due to the fact that the ants need high humidity, it is recommended to moisten the soil once a day by spraying.
To feed the larvae, protein is needed, it can be dead insects, raw meat. Adults enjoy a sugar syrup diluted with water, honey, bread crumbs or cereals.
