1. DISTRIBUTION

Lasius fuliginosusis ^{[Soortenregister]} is a common ant throughout the Netherlands ^{[Waarneming.nl]}. It is a permanent resident in the garden, in very large numbers.

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

Lasius fuliginosusis is active all year but especially between March and October ^{[Waarneming.nl]}.

They occupy all plants and shrubbery that contain aphids.

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

The nest is often found in hollowed out tress, trunks or dark places in house like the cellar and crawlspaces ^{[Boer 2015]}. They gnaw corridors and spaces in wood ^{[Boer 2015]}. The floor of the spaces is covered with sawdust and saliva to make paper-like constructions like wasps do ^{[Boer 2015]}. The corridors are covered with sugary liquid on which a fungus will grow that helps solidify it turning it into a very hard cover ^{[Boer 2015]}.

3. IDENTIFICATION

It is a larger sized small ant 3 – 5 mm ^{[Boer 2015]}.

The species characteristics are ^{[Boer 2015]}:

1. Antenna-implants directly above clypeus
2. Front edge of triangle in face bordered  by a clear groove

3. Petiole relatively low, does not reach top back thorax

4. Head rather swollen when seen from the side
5. Palps do not reach to eye

6. Head behind back edge clearly curved

7. Worker antenna with 12 segments

8. Worker glossy black

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Literature

^{Boer 2015} Boer, P., 2015. Mieren van de Benelux. Jeugdbondsuitgeverij, 's Graveland.

^{Soortenregister} Nederlands Soortenregister

^{Waarneming.nl} Waarneming.nl