lasius flavus - yellow meadow ant

Lasius flavus, the yellow meadow ant, isn't a species that you will see on land. They prefer to stay underground with their queen because it's very risky for this species to go out because of predators.  This includes other colonies and arachnids insects.

Lasius flavus workers with males

Lasius flavus nanitics with queen

What do they eat? They primarily feast on soil aphids, which produce honeydew. When they do go out to forage, they tend to feast on baby crickets and other small prey.

Lasius flavus feasting on root aphids

Where do they nest? They tend to nest in the soil, and under rocks and branches.

Lasius flavus dirt nest

How do they do in captivity? They are a very easy species to keep. But don't expect to see them wandering around in a dirt set-up because they are a subterranean species. 

Lasius flavus nest

My lasius flavus ant colony