First picture of the Lasisus Niger colony.

I had a quick 1st look at the Lasius Niger starter colony today.

They were exposed to light for only 20 seconds and did not get very aroused.
Perhaps because they've filled up on sugars overnight.

So here is the first picture of my Lasius Niger starter colony.

This is the Gyne (Queen) with about 12 nanites (1st brood worker ants).
As far as I could see there are 2 dead nanites in there and I do not see any 2nd brood.
Perhaps my untrained 50 year old eyes are missing something so let me know if you see any brood or eggs.

As you can see the cotton-wool in the test tube they arrived in has become a bit funky.
They will need to be moved to the small nest or another basic setup test-tube soon.

Before I do that I have fed them a juicy freshly swatted fly which I cut in half with a razor-blade for easy access to the juicy parts.

I'll let them gorge on that for a few hours before using the light/dark method to enthuse them to move.

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Lasius Niger Nuptual flight was today in Netherlands, Velsen.

Just now an hour ago many Queens landed all over the backyard... I caught 4 in Test-tube setups.

Learning more about ants: Anatomy

A pretty detailed anatomy page can be found here: Mississippi Entomological Museum Below is image with more basic schematic overview: Source: Wikipedia More will be added over time...

The Phenomenon of Ants' Nuptial Flight: Insights into the Fascinating World of Lasius Niger

Understanding Nuptial Flight 'Nuptial flight', also known as the "swarming" or "flying ant day," is an annual event when winged reproductive ants, both males and females, leave their colonies in large numbers to mate and establish new colonies. This behavior is crucial for the survival and expansion of ant populations. The Life of Lasius Niger Lasius niger is one of the most widespread ant species in Europe, known for its characteristic black coloration. These ants build their nests in soil, often under stones or in rotting wood, and are commonly found in gardens, parks, and forests. Lasius niger colonies typically consist of a queen, worker ants, and a few males. The Nuptial Flight Process During nuptial flight, Lasius niger ants engage in a synchronized and spectacular event. It usually occurs during warm, humid summer days. Before the flight, young winged ants, called alates, develop within the colony. When the conditions are favorable, these alates under...

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