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space. Many more types of engineers tool away behind the
scenes, perfecting our lives without our noticing.
In nature, some ant species work as engineers, shaping and
refining the environment, building connections, repairing bonds.
Lasius ants are one group renowned for being superior soil
engineers. A little larger than a sesame seed, Lasius (Lay-see-us)
look more like regular ol’ ants than the movers and the shakers of
nature. They resemble odorous house ants with slightly larger
(and fuzzier) behinds, and are generally darkish brown to deep
brownish-black in color. While odorous house ants move like
troopers marching in line to and from their favorite foods, Lasius
ants move more like my favorite Aunt Ann: deftly, but with a bit of
a waddle, probably owing a bit to those fuller fannies.
Two Lasius species are commonly found in New York City: the
cornfield ant (Lasius neoniger) and Lasius alienus (no common
name yet). All Lasius species have only one queen per colony and
prefer to nest in soil in open areas or under logs and stones.
Oftentimes, their nests look like little volcanoes popping up
across grassy areas, and, since one nest can have many
entrances, they can look like an erupting mountain range
spreading out across the landscape.
Lasius ants are often the most abundant ant species on golf
courses, happily setting up shop in the expansive open habitat
that seems tailor-made just for them. These ants’ abodes get
them into trouble with golfers, who would prefer their putting
Excavated soil outside a Lasius neoniger nest entrance resembles a little
volcano. - © Alex Wild
greens smooth and free of ant-made speed bumps. But
researchers studying Lasius show that when exterminators try to
smooth the greens by poisoning Lasius ants, more destructive
golf course pests like Japanese beetle larvae and cutworms
thrive.
In addition to the rolling green, Lasius ants love golf courses
because they love sugar. Yes, these pristine courses may be free
of half-eaten Snickers bars—but Lasius ants have their eyes on a
different type of sugary treat: chubby, sugar-making insects called
root aphids who slurp away at underground grass roots. Lasius
ants show off their extra-engineering talents as farmers and
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