# Lasius
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasius
> Source revision: 1344815481
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{{short description|Genus of ants}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = [Eocene](/source/Eocene)-Present, {{fossilrange|46|0|earliest=48.4}}
| image = Lasius niger casent0178775 profile 1.jpg
| image_caption = ''Lasius niger'', type species.
| taxon = Lasius
| authority = [Fabricius](/source/Johan_Christian_Fabricius), 1804
| diversity_link = #Species
| diversity = 149 species
| diversity_ref = [{{AntCat|429161|''Lasius''|2021|accessdate=31 October 2021}}]
| synonyms = * ''Donisthorpea'' Morice & Durrant, 1915
* ''Tylolasius'' Zhang, J., 1989
}}
'''''Lasius''''' is a [genus](/source/genus) of [formicine](/source/Formicinae) [ant](/source/ant)s.[{{cite web|title=Genus: ''Lasius''|work=AntWeb|url=http://www.antweb.org/description.do?subfamily=formicinae&name=lasius&rank=genus&project=worldants|accessdate=2012-02-05|archive-date=2013-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225323/http://www.antweb.org/description.do?subfamily=formicinae&name=lasius&rank=genus&project=worldants|url-status=dead}}] The [type species](/source/type_species) for this genus is the black garden ant, ''[Lasius niger](/source/Lasius_niger)''. Other major members, which live in drier [heathland](/source/heathland), are the cornfield ant, ''[L. neoniger](/source/Lasius_neoniger)'', and ''[L. alienus](/source/Lasius_alienus)''. Other species include the temporary social parasites of the [''L. mixtus'' group](/source/Lasius_mixtus_group) and the hyper-social parasite ''[L. fuliginosus](/source/Lasius_fuliginosus)''. ''[Lasius flavus](/source/Lasius_flavus)'' is also a commonly seen species, building grassy hillocks in undisturbed pasture. In the Alps, these mounds – always aligned east to catch the first rays of the rising sun – have been traditionally used by goatherds as natural [compass](/source/compass)es.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} Species in the subgenus ''Acanthomyops'', in particular ''[L. interjectus](/source/Lasius_interjectus)'' and ''[L. claviger](/source/Lasius_claviger)'', are commonly known as '''citronella ants''' due to their [citronella](/source/citronella_oil)-like smell.
== Social parasitism ==
Several species in this genus are noted to be [social parasites](/source/Social_parasitism_(biology)).[{{Cite web |title=Lasius latipes - AntWiki |url=https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Lasius_latipes |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.antwiki.org |language=en}}][{{Cite web |title=Lasius murphyi - AntWiki |url=https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Lasius_murphyi |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.antwiki.org |language=en}}][{{Cite web |title=Lasius subglaber - AntWiki |url=https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Lasius_subglaber |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.antwiki.org}}]{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([WP:NOTRS](/source/WP%3ANOTRS)).|date=January 2026}}[{{Cite web |title=A Guide to Lasius Social Parasites |url=https://www.statesideants.com/a-guide-to-lasius-social-parasites |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Stateside Ants |language=en}}] Some species such as ''[Lasius latipes](/source/Lasius_latipes)'' and ''[Lasius murphyi](/source/Lasius_murphyi)'' are noted to have their mating flights in mid-late summer and invade other colonies of ''Lasius'', primarily ''[Lasius neoniger](/source/Lasius_neoniger)''.[{{Cite web |last=Greenfieldboyce |first=Nell |date=2025-11-17 |title=Why some ant colonies get tricked into killing their own queens |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/science-technology/2025/11/17/why-some-ant-colonies-get-tricked-into-killing-their-own-queens |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}}] Other species, such as ''[Lasius claviger](/source/Lasius_claviger)'', are known to overwinter and invade colonies in the spring.[{{Cite web |title=Lasius claviger - AntWiki |url=https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Lasius_claviger |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.antwiki.org |language=en}}]{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([WP:NOTRS](/source/WP%3ANOTRS)).|date=January 2026}}[{{cite book
| last = Klotz
| first = John H.
| title = Urban Pest Management of Ants in California
| publisher = UCANR Publications, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
| date = 2010
| location =
| pages = 54–55
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tKdc2FJupDkC&pg=PA54
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 978-1601076649}}][{{cite book
| last = Klotz
| first = John H.
| title = Urban Ants of North America and Europe: Identification, Biology, and Management
| publisher = Cornell University Press
| date = 2008
| location =
| pages = 39–44
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Q7T4gg6j7xUC&pg=PA39
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 978-0801474736}}] They can infest buildings, particularly foundation forms in contact with soil, becoming a minor nuisance.[{{cite web
| last = Antonelli
| first = Art
| authorlink =
| title = Extension Bulletin 1382: Moisture Ants
| work = WSU Extension
| publisher = Washington State University
| date = 2007
| url = http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1382/eb1382.pdf
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = March 4, 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120813024825/http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1382/eb1382.pdf
| archive-date = August 13, 2012
| url-status = dead
}}]