Lasius fuliginosus

Name: Lasius fuliginosus
Origin: Europe
Queen: approx. 7 – 9 mm
Workers: approx. 3 – 5 mm
Nutrition: Carbohydrates (e.g., honey, sugar water, maple syrup), proteins (feeder insects, e.g., cockroaches, flies, crickets)
Humidity:
Arena: 40 – 60%
Nest: 60 – 80%
Temperature: 
Arena: 20 – 26 degrees Celsius
Nest: 22 – 26 degrees Celsius
Hibernation: Yes, late October to early March at approx. 5 – 10 degrees Celsius!
Nest type: We recommend wooden nests, cork, or special 3D nests with ventilation!
Colony size: up to 2 million workers

Advantages and Disadvantages of the species Lasius fuliginosus:

Advantages:
Lasius fuliginosus is a very exciting and active species, noticeable for its dark coloration and the formation of clearly structured ant trails. They exhibit interesting social behavior and are highly organized in their colony structure.

Disadvantages:
Colony founding is socially parasitic, meaning the queen requires a host colony (e.g., Lasius umbratus) for successful establishment.

Keeping:
Lasius fuliginosus constructs complex carton nests with a wasp-like structure. The workers cultivate a specific fungus on a substrate of sugary wood material. This fungus functions as a structural element that significantly reinforces the nest architecture, without serving as a food source, unlike myrmecophagous species such as Attini. Colony founding occurs through temporary social parasitism, where Lasius fuliginosus queens deliberately invade queenless Lasius umbratus colonies and take over nest dominance.

Feeding:
Lasius fuliginosus readily accepts food. Offer proteins every 3 – 4 days (e.g., cockroaches, flies, crickets). 

Hibernation:
Lasius fuliginosus requires native hibernation from late October to early March at approx. 5 – 10 degrees Celsius.

Attention:
Without hibernation, brood development can be impaired, and the queen's lifespan shortened. Nest humidity should be checked regularly.