Black Ant (Lasius niger)
Out of Stock
Product Details
Additional Information
Sizes | Giantmicrobes are based on actual microbes, cells, organisms and other critters, only 1,000,000 times actual size! Gigantic (GG) 16-24" XL (XL) 10-15" Original (PD) 5-8" Keychain (KC) 2-4" with clip |
---|---|
Materials | Plush from all new materials. Stuffed with polyester fiber fill. Surface washable: sponge with water & soap, air dry. |
Packaging | Each plush microbe includes a printed card with fun, educational and fascinating facts about the actual microbe or cell. |
Safety | Every product meets or exceeds U.S. and European standards for safety. For ages 3 and up. |
All about Black Ant (Lasius niger)
FACTS: Nearly all of the ants in the world are female! What’s more, with over 10,000 species, ants are one of the most successful creatures on the planet. An ant colony begins when a new queen flies from her home, finds a mate, and begins laying eggs. Nearly all of these eggs grow to become female ants. Although each of these daughters has the genetic potential to become a queen in her own right, chemical secretions from the reigning queen, as well as diet and environmental factors, inhibit their development and keep them sterile.
The growing family of female ants comprises a colony, and it takes on the many tasks of the society such as building and defending the nest, foraging for food, and caring for young eggs and ants.
When the colony is finally large enough, the queen lays a few unfertilized eggs which will grow into male ants, or drones – and a few of the female eggs are permitted to mature into new queens. The drones and the new queens both have wings and in a chemically-coordinated mating ritual, all take to the air in a swarm of activity, competing for each other’s attentions.
Most of the males are quickly consumed by birds – and the lucky ones that succeed, having accomplished their purpose, quickly succumb to their own mortality.
But the queens shed their wings, lay their eggs, and settle down to their ordained purpose of ruling the world!
Description | Since they thrive in a wide range of environments, they’re easy to grow and make great pets. Ant gardens are popular science and pet projects for children. Just don’t forget to close the lid! |
---|
Name | Lasius means fuzzy or hairy, and niger means black. |
---|
Actual Size | Workers typically range from 3.5 to 5.0 millimeters, but the queen can grow up to 9 millimeters. That’s as big as a pea! |
---|
Where It Lives | Lasius niger is the species of common black ants that can be found all over Europe and North America. They thrive in gardens, under bricks and flower pots, and can easily find their way into your kitchen foraging for food! A single colony can grow from 5,000 to 10,000 ants and the queen can live up to 28 years! |
---|
Fascinating Facts | Ants are extremely social bugs. They live in enormous underground colonies and migrate hundreds of feet from their colony to find food. If ants had Facebook, they’d all be friends! |
---|