Arid Lasius Ant (Lasius sitiens)

General: Lasius sitiens is a small, brown/yellow species of Lasius from western North America. Though unrelated to most other subterranean Lasius, this species has adapted to living mostly underground with their aphid cattle.

Diet: These ants are used to having lots of sugars at their disposal – in captivity, it should be the same. Make sure they always have their gasters somewhat full of sugars (sugarwater, honeywater) but also that you feed them in small enough drops that they don’t drown, and don’t leave leftover liquids. Feed the ants sugars on something like a piece of tinfoil. These ants also need protein in their diet to grow the colony in size. This can be fruit flies (their favorite), crickets, or mealworms.

Temperature: This species enjoys being in the 70s for most of the nest (71-75) but also with a section that is warmer (above 80). If the ants are still in the test tube, heat the front of the tube, far from the water reservoir. They will move brood closer to speed up growth if they desire. They might not grow at room temperature.

Diapause: This species needs to diapause for a short time each year. Ideally, they are placed in a cooler environment (40-50 degrees) for 1.5-3 months. Make sure they are still full of food during this time and that they have access to water and moisture.

Growth: Brood development can take anywhere between 7-10 weeks. Queens tend to lay eggs in batches, which get progressively larger. Colonies reach a few dozen workers in the first season, but after their first hibernation they can reach hundreds more workers with ideal feeding and heating. Colonies likely reach into the thousands eventually.

Queen size: 7-8mm

Worker size: 3mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.