Taxonomy
Lasius flavus | Yellow Meadow Ant
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Small to medium-sized species (body length of workers 2.2-4.8mm)
- Head, thorax and abdomen golden-yellow or brownish-yellow in colour
- Could be confused with workers of Lasius mixtus
Diet
Workers forage both on insects and the honeydew of aphids, particularly root aphids although foraging is rarely observed.
Habitat
Occurs in a range of habitats, particularly unimproved grassland but also woodland edges, scrub and parks.
Flight period
Males are on the wing between July-September, peaking in August. Workers are active for much of the year but are rarely observed above ground.
Nesting biology
Nests in soils and under stones and often produces small mounds, although these are much more inconspicuous than those formed by wood ants (Formica sp.). These are typically formed in grassland and may contain 1 or several queens with several hundred workers. These mounds may persist for many years after the nest has died out.
Similar species
- Other Lasius species, particularly Lasius mixtus
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Widely distributed in Ireland, with a greater abundance in coastal areas and those with unimproved grassland. It is apparently scarce in eastern and mid-Ulster.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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