The black garden ant Lasius niger, also known as the common black ant, is a formicine ant, the type species of the subgenus Lasius, which is found across Europe and in some parts of North America, South America, Asia and Australasia. The European species was split into two species, which are found in open areas; and L. platythorax, which is found in forest habitats. It is monogynous, meaning colonies contain a single queen.
Lasius niger colonies can reach in size up to around 40,000 workers in rare cases, but 4,000ââ¬â7,000 is around average. A Lasius niger queen can live up to 15 years and it has been claimed that some have lived for 30 years. Lasius niger queens in the early stages of founding can have two to three other queens in the nest.
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