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Yellow shadow ant

Lasius umbratus

A species of Citronella ants

Lasius umbratus, colloquially known as the yellow shadow ant and yellow lawn ant, is a palearctic species of parasitic ant distributed across Eurasia and the Maghreb region of Africa. It was once thought that this species occurred in North America as well, but comparative genomic studies indicate the Afro-Eurasian and American populations are discrete and not closely related enough to represent a single species. The North American populations are now treated as a different species, Lasius aphidicola. The queens of this species seek out a Lasius niger worker ant, to first kill in order to gain the worker ant's scent and then to discreetly sneak inside a Lasius niger nest. Once inside the Lasius umbratus queen finds the Lasius niger queen, and kills her. The worker ants will care for the new queen's larvae and slowly the colony will be made up of only Lasius umbratus individuals. They are sometimes confused with Lasius flavus (yellow meadow ant) but unlike L. flavus they forage for food on the surface.

General Info About Yellow shadow ant
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Attributes of Yellow shadow ant
Colors
Brown
Red
Habitat
Moist soil; open woodland; early successional forest; forest edge; farm field; under boulder; tree stump
Adult Food Sources
Aphid honeydew, nectar, dead insects, fungi, sugar-rich plant exudates
Larva Food Source
Aphid honeydew, fungi, small insects, organic detritus, eggs of other ants or arthropods
Biting/stinging
The Yellow shadow ant may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Yellow shadow ant is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Life Cycle of Yellow shadow ant
Egg The egg of yellow shadow ant is typically oval and microscopic. It’s laid in a protected environment and is often white or translucent. Size and color might vary slightly depending on the species.
Larva The larva of yellow shadow ant is legless and grub-like, with a soft, elongating body. The larva eats voraciously, frequently molting to accommodate rapid growth and often changes color as it matures.
Pupal In the pupal stage, yellow shadow ant is immobile and encased within a cocoon or pupal case. During this transformational phase, the insect's body is reshaped, developing wings, antennae, and legs.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult yellow shadow ant’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Predators of Yellow shadow ant Larvae
Frogs and toads, birds, spiders, ant-eating mammals
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Predators of Adult Yellow shadow ant
Birds, spiders, ant-eating mammals, other ant species
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Interesting Facts About Yellow shadow ant
Members of yellow shadow ant engage in a unique form of parasitism where they infiltrate and eventually take over neighboring ant colonies.
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Scientific Classification of Yellow shadow ant
Class
Bugs
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Order
Bees
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Family
Ants
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Tips for Finding Yellow shadow ant
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How Can You Attract Yellow shadow ant
A suitable bait to attract yellow shadow ant might include sweet substances such as honey or sugar water, as well as protein-rich foods like small pieces of meat or insects since yellow shadow ant are omnivorous and tend to forage for a variety of foods depending on the colony's needs.
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Habitat Preferences of Yellow shadow ant Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of yellow shadow ant are typically found deep within the underground nests, in a special chamber tended by worker ants. As larvae, yellow shadow ant remain in the protected environs of the nest, receiving nourishment and care from the workers. During their pupal stage, they can be discovered in similar locations within the nest, often in larger, cocoon-like structures. Adult yellow shadow ant, upon emergence, populate the nest and surrounding areas. To search for these various stages, one would need to carefully excavate ant nests, taking into account the insects' sensitivity to light and disturbance, which would be an intricate process, likely requiring gentle handling and specialized tools to avoid harming the ants and their habitat.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Yellow shadow ant
The best time to find adult yellow shadow ant is usually on warm, humid days. Early morning or late afternoon might also be ideal times when yellow shadow ant are most active. During these times, yellow shadow ant workers are more likely to be foraging for food outside the colony.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Yellow shadow ant
Overcast or mildly rainy conditions can be suitable weather for finding yellow shadow ant, as these weather conditions can stimulate yellow shadow ant to leave their nest to forage. Extreme weather conditions like heavy rain or high temperatures may not be ideal.
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How and Where Can You Find Yellow shadow ant at Different Life Stages
Egg Finding yellow shadow ant eggs requires locating the yellow shadow ant nest, which is often underground. These are very small and likely kept in the deepest parts of the nest to protect them from predators and environmental changes.
Larva Larvae of yellow shadow ant are found inside the nest, being taken care of by worker ants. Locating yellow shadow ant larvae involves gently excavating nest sites, typically found in soil or under rocks without disturbing the ant colony extensively.
Pupal Pupae of yellow shadow ant will also be within the colony premises. They may be in the form of cocoons or naked pupae depending on the species. Gently uncovering parts of the nest can reveal these pupae, but caution is advised to avoid colony distress.
Adult Adult yellow shadow ant can be found by searching for ant trails, which are paths that worker ants follow to and from food sources. Look for linear, consistent movements of ants, especially in areas with rich food sources such as around plants with aphids or places with crumbs or spills.
Are Yellow shadow ant harmful?
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Are Yellow shadow ant harmful to humans?

Different kinds of ants cause different troubles to humans. To be sure, compared with other dangerous creatures, common ants are very harmful to humans, and most of them just gather in the courtyard or room to disturb human life.
But there are some dangerous groups. They have strong jaws and sting needles and can bite or sting when under stress. Usually, ants only cause physical damage and the pain caused by formic acid. These discomforts do not even need to be dealt with, and can be recovered quickly. But there are still very few ant stings that can cause allergies and even death. Other ants can pollute the environment, destroy buildings, affect harvests and even spread diseases.
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