Workers are typically 3–5 mm; queens are about 8–10 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Lasius niger
The familiar black garden ant: adaptable, persistent and highly organised.
About this species
Black garden ant
Lasius niger(Linnaeus, 1758)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Lasius niger is one of Europe’s most familiar ants. It nests in soil and beneath paving, recruits efficiently to food and maintains close relationships with honeydew-producing aphids.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Lasius
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Europe and introduced regionsBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Native across much of Europe and western Asia; introduced in some other regions.
Gardens, pavements, grassland, woodland edge, walls and urban habitats.
Diurnal and nocturnal in warm weather, with conspicuous trails to food.
Honeydew, nectar, fruit, carrion and small arthropods.
Colonies are usually founded by one queen and may contain tens of thousands of workers.
What makes this species remarkable?
New queens seal themselves into founding chambers and rear the first workers using stored body reserves.
Workers protect aphids from predators in exchange for honeydew.
Colonies readily exploit cracks beneath paving, where retained warmth accelerates brood development.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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