Turfgrass Ant

Lasius neoniger

A single colony can construct dozens of interconnected entrance mounds across a lawn, often tending herds of subterranean root aphids underground.

Scientific name

Lasius neoniger

Taxonomy

Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Formicidae › Lasius

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

grassland

Habitat

Open, sun-exposed soils including meadows, lawns, pastures, golf courses, and roadsides

Diet

Honeydew excreted by aphids and root mealybugs, floral nectar, and small dead insects

Range

United States, Canada, Mexico

Size

Workers 2–2.5 mm; Queens 7–9 mm

Lifespan

Workers: 6–12 months; Queens: 10–15 years

Active

diurnal

Threats

Broad-spectrum chemical insecticides applied to turfgrass and agricultural land

Safe to approach?

Turfgrass ants are harmless to humans. They lack a functional sting and are too small to deliver an effective bite through human skin. No precautions or medical treatments are necessary if contact occurs; simply brush them away and wash the skin with soap and water.

Lasius neoniger , also known as the turfgrass ant , Labour day ant , cornfield ant or nuisance ant , is a species of ant in the genus Lasius . Found in North America, the species is common in the eastern United States and Canada, though they can be found all over the continent. They are usually light brown in color, with a slightly darker head.

Photo: Robert Webster, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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