Description

Over all length 4 - 6mm. A large shiny black ant with a heart-shaped head.

Habitat

Lightly wooded areas and hedgerows as they need dead wood for nesting. They are parasites of Lasius umbratus and feed mainly on the honeydew of farmed aphids.

Status and distribution

Local and uncommon, with a southerly, constricting range. The ones found at Netherfield Lagoons were possibly the first record for Nottinghamshire since a single record for 1907. This nest is still going strong three years after first being discovered and a second nest has now been found.

Best time to see

April to October.