Yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus
Yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus © Robert Piwko / Natural History Museum
Often mistaken for the red stinging ant, not only is this species harmless but it is actually very beneficial to its habitat, grassland. This is because the colonies build amazing structures underground that keep the soil porous and the ants’ droppings fertilise the grass. Their nest mounds can often be spotted in lawns
Unlike other similar species, the yellow meadow ant does not have hairs on its antennae or lower part of its legs.
The yellowish-brown ants are very common in the UK but they mainly live underground. As a result, they are often only seen when the ants fly during warm days in summer.
