Yellow Meadow Ant

Formica flava Fabricius, 1782: 491 (w.) [Note: Dours, 1873 PDF: 165, Ruzsky, 1905b: 276, Ruzsky, 1916: 5, and others, mistakenly attribute authorship of flava to De Geer. I (Barry Bolton) can find no mention of Formica flava in either of De Geer’s publications that include formicids (1773, 1778).] EUROPE. Palearctic. AntCat AntWiki

Taxonomic history

Latreille, 1798 PDF: 42 (q.m.); Wheeler & Wheeler, 1953c PDF: 152 (l.); Hauschteck, 1962 PDF: 219 (k.); Imai, 1966b PDF: 120 (k.).Combination in Formicina: Shuckard, 1840e PDF: 172; Bondroit, 1918 PDF: 27.Combination in Lasius: Mayr, 1861 PDF: 50 (in key); Ruzsky, 1905b: 276; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929b PDF: 36.Combination in Lasius (Chthonolasius): Ruzsky, 1912 PDF: 633; Ruzsky, 1914a PDF: 59.Combination in Donisthorpea: Donisthorpe, 1915f: 216.Combination in Formicina (Formicina): Emery, 1916a PDF: 241.Combination in Lasius (Formicina): Wheeler, 1916o PDF: 172; Wheeler, 1917k PDF: 463; Santschi, 1921b PDF: 435.Combination in Acanthomyops: Forel, 1916 PDF: 460; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927e PDF: 187.Combination in Chthonolasius (Formicina): Kulmatycki, 1922 PDF: 79.Combination in Acanthomyops (Chthonolasius): Kiseleva, 1925 PDF: 73; Donisthorpe, 1927a PDF: 8; Donisthorpe, 1950e PDF: 1064.Combination in Lasius (Chthonolasius): Ruzsky, 1925a PDF: 288; Ruzsky, 1936 PDF: 90.Combination in Lasius (Lasius): Forel, 1915d: 51; Emery, 1925d PDF: 231; Karavaiev, 1936: 207.Combination in Lasius (Cautolasius): Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112.Status as species: Retzius, 1783 PDF: 75; Fabricius, 1787 PDF: 309; Gmelin, 1790 PDF: 2801; Olivier, 1792: 496; Fabricius, 1793 PDF: 357; Latreille, 1798 PDF: 41; Latreille, 1802a PDF: 166; Walckenaer, 1802: 163; Fabricius, 1804 PDF: 406; Billberg, 1820: 104; Stephens, 1829b: 357; Losana, 1834 PDF: 321; Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835 PDF: 208; Schilling, 1839 PDF: 55; Nylander, 1846a PDF: 922; Nylander, 1846b PDF: 1048; Foerster, 1850a: 38; Smith, 1851 PDF: 3; Schenck, 1852 PDF: 56; Mayr, 1855 PDF: 363 (redescription); Smith, 1855a PDF: 108; Nylander, 1856b PDF: 69; Gredler, 1858 PDF: 14; Smith, 1858a PDF: 8; Mayr, 1861 PDF: 50 (in key); Meinert, 1861: 319; Roger, 1862c PDF: 285; Roger, 1863b PDF: 11; Mayr, 1863a PDF: 425; Smith, 1871c: 2; Dours, 1873 PDF: 165; Forel, 1874 PDF: 47 (in key); André, 1874b: 181 (in key); Emery, 1878a PDF: ix (in list); Emery, 1878: 47; Emery & Forel, 1879 PDF: 452; Saunders, 1880 PDF: 210; Provancher, 1881b PDF: 358; André, 1882c PDF: 195 (in key); Provancher, 1883 PDF: 601; White, 1884 PDF: 255; Mayr, 1886d PDF: 429; Forel, 1886e PDF: clxvii; Provancher, 1887: 236 (in key); Cresson, 1887 PDF: 257; Nasonov, 1889: 23; Lameere, 1892: 64; Dalla Torre, 1893 PDF: 184; Emery, 1893k PDF: 640; Medina, 1893 PDF: 105; Emery, 1895d PDF: 334; Forel, 1895e PDF: 227; Ruzsky, 1896 PDF: 71; Saunders, 1896 PDF: 24; Wheeler, 1900c PDF: 47; Ruzsky, 1902d PDF: 14; Ruzsky, 1905b: 276; Wasmann, 1906 PDF: 114 (in key); Forel, 1909c PDF: 104; Bondroit, 1910 PDF: 485; Forel, 1911f PDF: 352; Karavaiev, 1912b PDF: 587; Ruzsky, 1914a PDF: 61; Stitz, 1914 PDF: 85; Forel, 1915d: 51 (in key); Donisthorpe, 1915f: 216; Emery, 1916a PDF: 241; Forel, 1916 PDF: 460; Ruzsky, 1916: 5; Wheeler, 1916o PDF: 172; Wheeler, 1917a PDF: 527; Escherich, 1917: 333 (in key); Menozzi, 1918 PDF: 87; Nadig, 1918 PDF: 340; Bondroit, 1918 PDF: 27; Menozzi, 1921 PDF: 32; Santschi, 1921b PDF: 435; Kulmatycki, 1922 PDF: 79; Soudek, 1922b PDF: 71; Müller, 1923a PDF: 75; Müller, 1923b PDF: 127; Finzi, 1923a PDF: 4; Emery, 1925d PDF: 231; Ruzsky, 1925a PDF: 288; Kiseleva, 1925 PDF: 73; Schkaff, 1925b PDF: 276; Karavaiev, 1926e PDF: 194; Santschi, 1926f PDF: 289; Stärcke, 1926a PDF: 121 (in key); Donisthorpe, 1927a PDF: 8; Donisthorpe, 1927c: 254; Karavaiev, 1927a PDF: 301; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927e PDF: 187; Karavaiev, 1927d: 278 (in key); Karavaiev, 1927e PDF: 348; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927e PDF: 187; Finzi, 1928c PDF: 791; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1928b PDF: 21; Lomnicki, 1928 PDF: 7; Wheeler, 1928d PDF: 120; Wheeler, 1929g PDF: 10; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929a PDF: 27; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929b PDF: 36; Finzi, 1930d PDF: 317; Karavaiev, 1930b PDF: 148; Karavaiev, 1931c PDF: 110; Karavaiev, 1931e PDF: 214; Soudek, 1931 PDF: 15; Gösswald, 1932 PDF: 61; Santschi, 1932e PDF: 72; Arnol'di, 1933a: 603 (in key); Finzi, 1933 PDF: 165; Grandi, 1935 PDF: 103; Zimmermann, 1935 PDF: 52; Ruzsky, 1936 PDF: 90; Karavaiev, 1936: 207 (redescription); Karavaiev, 1937 PDF: 175; Kôno & Sugihara, 1939 PDF: 10; Novák & Sadil, 1941 PDF: 101 (in key); Holgersen, 1942b PDF: 9; Holgersen, 1943c PDF: 174 (in key); Holgersen, 1944a PDF: 181; Morisita, 1945 PDF: 22; Ruzsky, 1946 PDF: 70; Van Boven, 1947b PDF: 184 (in key); Forsslund, 1947 PDF: 69; Arnol'di, 1948a PDF: 212 (in list); Creighton, 1950a PDF: 422; Donisthorpe, 1950e PDF: 1064; Schmitz, 1950 PDF: 14; Azuma, 1951 PDF: 88; Chapman & Capco, 1951 PDF: 201; Consani & Zangheri, 1952 PDF: 44; Azuma, 1955 PDF: 80; Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112 (redescription); Ceballos, 1956: 315; Smith, 1958c PDF: 148; Carter, 1962a PDF: 7 (in list); Collingwood, 1963b PDF: 157 (in key); Baroni Urbani, 1964c PDF: 163; Cagniant, 1964 PDF: 92; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 359 (redescription); Smith, 1967a PDF: 367; Kutter, 1968b: 61; Collingwood & Yarrow, 1969 PDF: 80; Cagniant, 1970c PDF: 38; Baroni Urbani, 1971c PDF: 207; Collingwood, 1971 PDF: 165; Banert & Pisarski, 1972 PDF: 353; Bourne, 1973 PDF: 26; Bolton & Collingwood, 1975: 7 (in key); Hunt & Snelling, 1975 PDF: 22; Pisarski, 1975: 36; Tarbinsky, 1976 PDF: 140 (redescription); Aktaç, 1977 PDF: 127; Azuma, 1977a PDF: 117; Van Boven, 1977 PDF: 145; Francoeur, 1977b PDF: 207; Kutter, 1977c: 229; Yensen et al., 1977 PDF: 184; Arnol'di & Dlussky, 1978: 555 (in key); Collingwood, 1978 PDF: 90 (in key); Wheeler & Wheeler, 1978b PDF: 393; Smith, 1979: 1437; Collingwood, 1979 PDF: 96; Yamauchi, 1979 PDF: 160; Onoyama, 1980a PDF: 199; Collingwood, 1981 PDF: 28; Seifert, 1983 PDF: 1; Wheeler & Wheeler, 1986g PDF: 67; Nilsson & Douwes, 1987: 71; Agosti & Collingwood, 1987a PDF: 58; Agosti & Collingwood, 1987b PDF: 282 (in key); DuBois & LaBerge, 1988: 149; MacKay et al., 1988: 118; Seifert, 1990 PDF: 12; Kupyanskaya, 1990a: 222; Dlussky et al., 1990 PDF: 160; Casevitz-Weulersse, 1990c PDF: 433; Le Moli & Rosi, 1991: 37; Morisita et al., 1991: 27; Atanassov & Dlussky, 1992: 241; Arakelian, 1994 PDF: 120; Radchenko, 1994b: 115 (in key); Wheeler et al., 1994 PDF: 308; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Douwes, 1995: 94; Poldi et al., 1995: 8; Tang et al., 1995: 109; Wu & Wang, 1995a: 156; Espadaler, 1997g PDF: 28; Collingwood & Prince, 1998: 23 (in key); Gallé et al., 1998: 217; Zhou, 2001a PDF: 187; Czechowski et al., 2002 PDF: 109; Mackay & Mackay, 2002 PDF: 381; Imai et al., 2003 PDF: 61; Karaman & Karaman, 2003 PDF: 53; Coovert, 2005 PDF: 124; Csosz & Markó, 2005 PDF: 230; Karaman & Karaman, 2005 PDF: 57; MacGown & Forster, 2005 PDF: 64; Radchenko, 2005b PDF: 166; Ward, 2005 PDF: 64; Bračko, 2006 PDF: 149; Markó et al., 2006 PDF: 68; Petrov, 2006 PDF: 107 (in key); Schultz et al., 2006 PDF: 203; Zhou, 2006 PDF: 586; Bračko, 2007 PDF: 20; Seifert, 2007: 280; Werner & Wiezik, 2007 PDF: 142; Zryanin & Zryanina, 2007 PDF: 234; Gratiashvili & Barjadze, 2008 PDF: 135; Casevitz-Weulersse & Galkowski, 2009 PDF: 484; Lapeva-Gjonova et al., 2010 PDF: 38; Boer, 2010: 34; Csosz et al., 2011 PDF: 58; Karaman, 2011a PDF: 91; Legakis, 2011 PDF: 26; Borowiec & Salata, 2012 PDF: 500; Czechowski et al., 2012: 271; Ellison et al., 2012: 191; Guénard & Dunn, 2012 PDF: 33; Kiran & Karaman, 2012 PDF: 12; Nezhad et al., 2012 PDF: 66; Borowiec, 2014 PDF: 86; Bračko et al., 2014 PDF: 19; Lebas et al., 2016: 204; Radchenko, 2016: 368; Salata & Borowiec, 2018c 10.5281/zenodo.2199191 PDF: 45; Schär et al., 2018 10.1111/jbi.13380 PDF: 6; Seifert, 2018: 281.Senior synonym of Lasius umbratus apennina: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 359; Smith, 1979: 1437; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Senior synonym of Lasius flavus fuscoides: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Smith, 1979: 1437; Dlussky et al., 1990 PDF: 160; Arakelian, 1994 PDF: 120; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Gratiashvili & Barjadze, 2008 PDF: 135; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Senior synonym of Lasius umbratus ibericus: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 359; Smith, 1979: 1437; Seifert, 1990 PDF: 12; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Zhou, 2001a PDF: 187; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Senior synonym of Lasius flavus morbosa: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Bernard, 1967a PDF: 359; Van Boven, 1977 PDF: 145; Smith, 1979: 1437; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Casevitz-Weulersse & Galkowski, 2009 PDF: 484; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Senior synonym of Lasius flavus odoratus: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Smith, 1979: 1437; Arakelian, 1994 PDF: 120; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Gratiashvili & Barjadze, 2008 PDF: 135; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Senior synonym of Lasius flavus olivacea: Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Smith, 1979: 1437; Arakelian, 1994 PDF: 120; Bolton, 1995b: 223; Radchenko, 2016: 368.Material of the unavailable name Lasius umbratus ibericus sancho referred here by Wilson, 1955a PDF: 112; Collingwood, 1978 PDF: 72; Smith, 1979: 1437; Seifert, 1990 PDF: 12; Bolton, 1995b: 223.

This species feeds on insects that are found in grass, including fly larvae, wireworms, woodlice and springtails. It also 'farms' aphids on the roots of plants in order to obtain the sweet honeydew that they exude (3). Like all ants, the yellow meadow ant lives in organised social colonies, consisting of a reproductive female known as the queen, a few males, and a large number of workers, which are non-sexual females (5). During summer, different colonies release winged reproductive males and future queens at the same time. The trigger for their synchronised release is warm, humid air, typically after rain. Mating takes place after 'nuptial flight' takes place, when a male and female form a pair and mate on the wing. After mating the female lands on the ground, sheds her wings and searches for a suitable place to establish a new colony. She will not mate again in her lifetime, but stores enough sperm inside her body to fertilise all of her future eggs (3). This ant lives in colonies underground and, along with the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), is very important in bringing matter from a meter or more below ground to the surface of the soil, and maintaining porous soil (3). Colonies occasionally make mound nests in the moist conditions following rainfall or early in the morning when it is still dewy. Their nests are highly intricate, with numerous fine channels made in the soil; the whole structure is reinforced by the roots and shoots of plants, the growth of which is encouraged by the workers, who defecate into crevices in the soil. The mounds usually have one flat face which is oriented towards the south-east, thus maximising the benefits of the early morning sunshine (3). In situations where mound nests would not be ideal (e.g. in sandy soils, which would be eroded quickly), colonies tend to live beneath stones (3). Like many ants, this species has a special relationship with the larvae of a blue butterfly, in this case, those of the chalk hill blue butterfly. The workers of the yellow meadow ant are attracted by volatile substances that the caterpillar secretes. They may then bury the caterpillar and protect it from predators (3).

Not relevant.

This common ant is, as the name suggests, yellowish brown in colour (3). A number of features distinguish it from other similar species of ant, including the fact that the lower sections of the antennae and the tibiae lack hairs (3). The workers are around 2 to 3.5 mm in length (2).

Typically found in rough grassland and gardens, providing the grass is not cut too often. This species can live under the ground as long as the grass is open enough to allow sunlight to reach the soil (3).

Occurs throughout Europe and Britain (4) and found in Japan (2).

Common (3).

Not relevant.

Animal / guest
larva of Clytra quadripunctata is a guest in nest of Lasius flavus
Other: unusual host/prey

Animal / associate
larva of Microdon devius is associated with nest of Lasius flavus

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / guest
worker of Myrmecina graminicola is a guest in nest of Lasius flavus

Animal / inquiline
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggi is inquiline in nest of Lasius flavus
Other: major host/prey

As the name indicates, yellow meadow ants live in rugged meadows. They build compact anthills. They live underground as long as the area is open enough that the sun is able to warm up the ground. Yellow meadow ants are even found in salt marshes, such as the Slufter on Texel. These insects survive tidal flooding by producing air bubbles in the nest which block out the water. Yellow meadow ants live off of lice found on grass roots. That is why you always find the anthill overgrown with grass.

Records

(Map 53): Bulgaria ( Agosti and Collingwood 1987a , Atanassov and Dlusskij 1992 ); Western Stara Planina Mts: Milanovo vill. (Vratsa) ( Atanassov 1934 ); Central Stara Planina Mts: Botev peak (Ray hut), Vezhen hut, under Bratanitsa peak ( Atanassov 1936 ); Sofia Basin: Sofia ( Atanassov 1934 , Lapeva-Gjonova 2004b , Lapeva-Gjonova and Atanasova 2004 , Antonova 2005 , Antonova and Penev 2006 , 2008 ), the surroundings of Sofia ( Antonova and Penev 2006 ); Lyulin Mt. ( Atanassov 1934 ); Vitosha Mt. ( Atanassov 1936 , 1952 ); Podbalkan Basin: Rose valley ( Atanassov et al. 1955 ); Lozenska Planina Mt. ( Vassilev and Evtimov 1973 ); Strandzha Mt.: Balgari vill. ( Atanassov 1934 ); Belasitsa Mt. ( Atanassov 1964 ); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley: along Strumeshnitsa river ( Atanassov 1964 ); Rila Mt.: Borovets ( Atanassov 1934 ); Western Rhodopi Mts: Dobrostan vill. ( Seifert 1983 ), Smolyan, Rakitovo ( Lapeva-Gjonova in press (a) ).

The yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus), also known as the yellow hill ant, is a species of ant occurring in Europe (where it is one of the most common ants), Asia, and North Africa. Populations in North America are now considered a different, related species, Lasius brevicornis.

The queen is 7–9 mm long, males 3–4 mm and workers 2–4 mm. Their colour varies from yellow to brown, with queen and males being slightly more darkly colored.

The species lives primarily underground in meadows and very commonly, lawns. The nests are often completely overgrown by grass, however, often their presence is betrayed by small mounds of loose soil material between the grass stalks. They will also nest under large rocks or concrete slabs. Lawn nesting will eventually become obvious as the aphids clear sections of grass or portions of gardens.

The yellow meadow ant feeds on the honeydew from root aphids, which they breed in their nests. During winter, the aphids themselves are sometimes eaten. As a consequence of their feeding habits, the species only occasionally forages outside the nest. Evidence of their underground lives is their lack of pigmentation and the smaller size of their eyes, compared to closely related species like the black garden ant. They are a timid species and will often simply barricade their tunnels to fight off invaders.

Alates (winged, unmated queens and males) can be seen on warm days and evenings of July and August. This is one of the rare times that they are seen, as workers open up their nest entrances and herd the young winged ants out of the nest. Colonies are often founded by multiple queens (pleometrosis). Later on, when the first workers emerge, fights between the founder queens will erupt, with only one queen left (monogyne). However, this species is also known to have single colonies with multiple queens and up to 250,000 workers, when they are spread out over multiple interconnected nests.

Relict yellow meadow ant nests in an area reverted to woodland.